each

1.adjectiveA1

Definition

Used before a singular noun to talk about every separate person or thing among several — focusing on them one by one rather than all together.

Example

Each student in the class needs to bring a pencil and an eraser.

each + singular noun (student) + singular verb (needs)

Tuan reads a book each week to help him learn new words.

each + time noun (week) — frequency pattern

Common collocations

each person
each day
each time
each member
each side

Synonyms

every
more general and group-focused; 'every' cannot be used for groups of exactly two
per
used with amounts or rates, not before common nouns

Grammar Patterns

each + singular noun + singular verb

Usage Note

The noun after 'each' must be singular and takes a singular verb. For example: 'Each child plays' — not 'Each child play'.

Common Mistakes

Each students have a book.

Each student has a book.

the noun and verb after 'each' must both be singular.

Each of the student has a book.

Each of the students has a book.

after 'each of', use a plural noun but a singular verb.

1.pronounA1

Definition

Every person or thing in a group, when you think of them as separate individuals — used without a following noun.

Example

There were five questions on the test, and Adina answered each correctly.

each as object — refers back to a previously named plural noun

Jisoo gave each of her friends a small gift for their birthday.

each of + [plural noun]

Common collocations

each of us
each of them
each of the students
each one

Synonyms

each one
slightly more emphatic; used to stress individuality
every one
emphasises that none are left out

Antonyms

none
refers to zero people or things in a group

Grammar Patterns

each of + plural noun + singular verb

plural subject + each + verb

Usage Note

When 'each' is the subject (as in 'each of the boys…'), the verb is singular. When 'each' follows a plural subject (as in 'the boys each…'), the verb stays plural.

Common Mistakes

Each of the children are happy.

Each of the children is happy.

the subject 'each' is singular, so the verb must be 'is'.

The students each has a book.

The students each have a book.

when 'each' follows a plural subject, the verb agrees with the subject, not 'each'.

2.pronounA2

Definition

Every single person or thing in a group, without any being left out — a stronger way of saying 'each' that stresses complete inclusion.

Example

Salma checked each answer before she handed in her test paper.

emphatic each — implies every one without exception

Mateo has read each one of the novels on that shelf near the window.

each one of + [plural noun phrase] — emphatic form

Common collocations

each one
each one of them
each single one

Synonyms

every single one
even stronger emphasis, always used with 'single'
all
refers to the group as a whole rather than individuals separately

Grammar Patterns

each one of + plural noun/pronoun + singular verb

Usage Note

Use this sense when you want to stress that absolutely no person or thing in the group is left out. The phrase 'each one of' is the most common pattern for this emphatic meaning.

Common Mistakes

Each one of the book are interesting.

Each one of the books is interesting.

after 'each one of', use a plural noun but a singular verb.

Idioms

to each their own

idiom

Used to say that different people have different likes, dislikes, or ways of doing things, and that this is normal and acceptable.

Meera prefers tea over coffee, and Joshua prefers coffee — to each their own.

Some people like waking up early, and others stay up late at night. To each their own.

each way

idiom

A type of bet on a horse race where you win money if the horse you picked finishes first, second, or third place.

Tendai placed a ten-dollar bet each way on the horse named Lucky Star.

If you bet each way, you still get some money back when your horse comes second.

each and every

idiom

Used to emphasize that you mean every single person or thing in a group.

The teacher checked each and every answer on the test.

Did you thank each and every guest at the party?

Word family

each other
pronounA2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

'Each,' 'every,' and 'per' all relate to individuals within a group, but they differ in focus. 'Each' highlights the separate members one by one — you use it when you want to think about individuals: 'Each student chose a different topic.' 'Every' points to the group as a whole with no exceptions — it is closer to 'all': 'Every student passed the test' means all of them passed, seen together. 'Per' is more technical and is used with amounts or rates: 'The cost is $10 per person.' A good way to remember: if the group has only two members, use 'each' (not 'every'). If you are talking about a price or rate, use 'per.' For all other situations, 'each' emphasises the individual, while 'every' emphasises the whole group.

each ↗every ↗per ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

each person
each item
each member
each case
each instance

Adverbs

each individually
each separately
each respectively

Phrases

each and every
each time
each other

Prepositions

each of

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

'Each' comes from Old English 'ælc', meaning 'ever alike' or 'any'. It was formed from a combination of 'ā' (ever) and 'gelīc' (alike, like), and has been used for over a thousand years to talk about every member of a group considered individually.

Entries near

Previous entries

Next entries

each

each — adjective

1. Used before a singular noun to talk about every separate person or thing among s

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

each — pronoun

1. Every person or thing in a group, when you think of them as separate individuals

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. Every single person or thing in a group, without any being left out — a stronger

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

to each their own

each way

each and every

each — adverb

1. For or to every separate person or thing in a group — used after a number, amoun

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

Word family

Synonym discussion

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

Entries near

Entries near