Each vs Single

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Each

Top 1,000 (very common) A1

Single

Top 1,000 (very common) A2 adjective

	Each	Single
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 /["/iːtʃ/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/iːtʃ/"]/	🇬🇧 /["/ˈsɪŋɡl/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ˈsɪŋɡl/"]/
Meaning	Every one from a group	One person or thing.
Example	Each answer is worth 20 points.	He prefers to live a single life without any commitments.
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 1,000 (very common)	Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR level	A1	A2
Part of speech		adjective
Collocations	each person, each item, each time	single person, single item, single ticket, single life, single parent
Antonyms	none, all	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.	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.	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.

See it in real clips

in every single American war.

Every single thing.

Band Of Brothers › S1 E1

Every single time.

in every single American war.

Every single thing.

Single

Frequently asked questions: Each vs Single

What's the difference between Each and Single?

Each: Every one from a group Single: One person or thing.

Which is more advanced: Each and Single?

Single is the highest level, at A2, on the CEFR scale.

Are Each and Single the same CEFR level?

Each: A1, Single: A2 on the CEFR scale.

Can you show an example of each?

Each: Each answer is worth 20 points. Single: He prefers to live a single life without any commitments.

Can I use Each and Single interchangeably?

Not always. Each 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.