Lesson

Every and all

Using every and all correctly

≈ 15 min 8 block(s)

Text

Every and all

Every and all are determiners used to talk about groups, but they are not interchangeable. 'Every' focuses on individual members of a group (each one), and is used with singular countable nouns. 'All' refers to the whole group or entirety and is used with plural nouns or uncountable nouns.

  • 'Every' + singular countable noun → emphasis on each item separately.
  • 'All' + plural noun or uncountable noun → emphasis on the group as a whole.
  • Use 'every one of' or 'all of' when followed by pronouns or determiners (e.g., 'all of the staff', 'every one of the reports').

Table

Every vs All — Quick Reference

Form Use Example
every + singular countable noun Each individual in a group Every employee must complete the training.
all + plural noun The whole group (plural) All employees must attend the meeting.
all + uncountable noun The entire amount or concept All feedback is valuable.
every one of + plural noun / pronoun Each member of a specified group (with emphasis) Every one of the reports was reviewed.
all of + determiner/pronoun + noun Emphasize the entire group (often with 'the', 'my', 'these') All of the invoices were paid.

Tip

Key rule: singular vs plural

Remember the basic distinction:

  • 'Every' + singular noun → verb in singular (Every candidate is prepared).
  • 'All' + plural noun → verb in plural (All candidates are prepared).
  • 'All' + uncountable → verb in singular (All information is available).

If you mean 'each one', use 'every'. If you mean 'the whole group' or an uncountable amount, use 'all'.

Example

Examples in context

Every employee must complete the online compliance course.

All employees received the updated handbook.

All of the budget reports were submitted on time.

Every one of the proposals was evaluated by the team.

Tip

Common mistakes

Watch out for these common pitfalls:

  • Using a plural noun after 'every' (Incorrect: Every employees → Correct: Every employee).
  • Using 'every' with uncountable nouns (Incorrect: Every information → Correct: All information).
  • For emphasis, confusing 'every one of' and 'all of' — both are possible but structure differs (Every one of the team members vs All of the team).
  • Omitting 'of' when required: say 'all of the reports' or 'all the reports', but 'every one of the reports' requires 'of'.

If unsure, ask: Do I mean 'each individual' (every) or 'the entire group' (all)?

Quiz

Choose the correct sentence:

Hint: Think about whether the noun should be singular or plural after the determiner.

Quiz

Complete: _____ the team members signed the agreement.

Hint: The noun 'team members' is plural. Which determiner works with plural nouns?

Quiz

Choose the correct sentence:

Hint: Think about whether the noun is countable or uncountable.

Key Points

GrammarPoint

every

determiner CEFR B1 //ˈɛvri//

each one of a group (used with singular countable nouns)

Every manager has a personal budget.

GrammarPoint

all

determiner CEFR B1 //ɔːl//

the whole quantity or group (used with plural or uncountable nouns)

All candidates attended the briefing.

Expression

every one of

expression CEFR B2 //ˈɛvri wʌn əv//

emphasizes each individual of a specific group (followed by plural noun or pronoun)

Every one of the contracts was checked.

Expression

all of

expression CEFR B1 //ɔːl əv//

used to refer to the entire group, often before 'the', 'my', 'these', etc.

All of the files are archived.

Vocabulary

singular

noun CEFR A2 //ˈsɪŋɡjʊlər//

the form of a word used to refer to one person or thing

Use the singular after 'every'.

Vocabulary

uncountable (mass noun)

noun CEFR B1 //ʌnˈkaʊntəbəl//

a noun that cannot be counted and does not have a plural form (e.g., information, feedback)

All information must be accurate.