Skip to main content

every (one)

every + singular​

Every is a determiner. We normally use it before a singular noun (but (see here) below). If the noun is a subject, its verb is also singular.

Grammar

every + singular noun (+ singular verb)

  • I see her every day. (not … every days.)
  • Every room is being used. (not Every room are …)

every one of​

We use every one of before a pronoun or a determiner (for example the, my, these). The pronoun or noun is plural, but a following verb is singular.

Grammar

every one of us/you/them (+ singular verb)

Grammar

every one of + determiner + plural noun (+ singular verb)

  • His books are wonderful. I’ve read every one of them.
  • Every one of the children was crying.

every one without a noun​

We can drop a noun and use every one alone, if the meaning is clear.

  • His books are great. Every one’s worth reading.

Negative structures​

To negate every, we normally use not every.

  • Not every kind of bird can fly. (More natural than Every kind of bird cannot fly.)

every + plural noun​

Every is used before a plural noun in expressions that refer to intervals.

  • I see her every few days.
  • There’s a meeting every six weeks.
  • She had to stop and rest every two or three steps.

everybody, etc​

Everybody, everyone, everything and everywhere are used with singular verbs, like every.

  • Everybody has gone home. (not Everybody have …)
  • Everything I like is either illegal, immoral or fattening.
  • I found that everywhere was closed.

When possessives and pronouns refer back to everybody/everyone, they can usually be either singular (more formal) or plural (less formal). Sometimes only a plural word makes sense. Compare:

  • Has everybody got his or her ticket? (more formal)
  • Has everybody got their tickets? (less formal)
  • When everybody had finished eating, the waiters took away their plates. (not … his or her plate.)

Note that everyone (= ‘everybody’) does not mean the same as every one (which can refer to things as well as people).

everyday​

Everyday is an adjective meaning ‘ordinary’, ‘usual’, ‘routine’. It is not the same as the adverbial expression every day. Compare:

  • In everyday life, you don’t often find an elephant in a supermarket.
  • You don’t see elephants every day.

Common expressions​

Note the following common expressions with every.

every single

  • She visits her mother every single day.

every other

  • We meet every other Tuesday. (= … every second Tuesday.)

every so often; every now and then

  • We go out for a drink together every so often / every now and then.
note

For the difference between every and each, (see here).

For every and all, (see here).

For every and any, (see here).

For more information about everybody/everyone, (see here).