Cool MateEach vs Individual vs Single
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Each
Top 1,000 (very common)A1
Individual
Top 2,000 (common)A2noun
Single
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adjective
| Each | Individual | Single | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/iːtʃ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/iːtʃ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌɪndɪˈvɪdʒuəl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌɪndɪˈvɪdʒuəl/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈsɪŋɡl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈsɪŋɡl/"]/ |
| Meaning | Every one from a group | A single person or thing. | One person or thing. |
| Example | Each answer is worth 20 points. | Each individual has their own unique experiences. | He prefers to live a single life without any commitments. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | A2 | A2 |
| Part of speech | noun | adjective | |
| Collocations | each person, each item, each time | outstanding, talented, key, class, group, treat somebody as, differ, vary, no one individual, no single individual, any one individual, outstanding, talented, key, class, group, treat somebody as, differ, vary, no one individual, no single individual, any one individual | single person, single item, single ticket, single life, single parent |
| Antonyms | none, all | group, collection, community | multiple, coupled, together |
| Common mistakes | Using 'each' with plural nouns, e.g., saying 'each apples' instead of 'each apple'., Confusing 'each' with 'every' - 'each' refers to individuals, while 'every' refers to the group as a whole. | Confused with 'individuals' when referring to a group., Omitting 'the' before 'individual' in certain contexts. | Mixing up with 'singly' which has a different meaning., Using 'single' when referring to multiple items or people., Confusing 'single' with 'alone', which has a different connotation. |
| Usage notes | Use 'each' when talking about individual items in a group, usually when the group is small or when emphasizing individuality. Avoid using 'each' with plural nouns. | Commonly used to refer to a single person in various contexts. Avoid using in formal or legal contexts unless necessary, where terms like 'party' might be more appropriate. | Used to describe someone not in a relationship. In formal contexts, it can refer to a single item. Avoid using in very casual or slang conversations where 'solo' might be more suitable. |
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Frequently asked questions: Each vs Individual vs Single
What's the difference between Each, Individual, and Single?
Each: Every one from a group Individual: A single person or thing. Single: One person or thing.
Are Each, Individual, and Single the same CEFR level?
Each: A1, Individual: A2, Single: A2 on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Each: Each answer is worth 20 points. Individual: Each individual has their own unique experiences. Single: He prefers to live a single life without any commitments.
Can I use Each, Individual, and Single interchangeably?
Not always. Each, Individual, and Single are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.