every

Meanings

1. 1determinerbefore a noun

   Used with a singular noun to talk about each member of a group, with none left out.

   Grammar: Takes a singular noun and verb: every student has a locker, not 'every students have'.

   Patterns

   • every + singular noun
   • every one of them

   Every student received a certificate at the end of the course.

   She checked every window before leaving the house.

   Every one of the plates was chipped.

2. 2determinerbefore a noun

   Used to show that something happens at regular intervals of time or distance.

   Grammar: Followed by a time or number expression: every Monday, every three days, every two miles.

   Patterns

   • every day
   • every two weeks
   • every few miles

   The bus comes every twenty minutes.

   They visit their grandmother every Sunday.

   There is a water station every two miles along the route.

3. 3determinerbefore a noun

   Used to stress the full degree of a feeling or reason, meaning as much as is possible.

   Grammar: Used with abstract nouns like reason, chance, right: she has every reason to be proud.

   Patterns

   • every reason to do something
   • every chance of something

   You have every right to ask for a refund.

   There is every chance the match will be postponed.

   He had every reason to be nervous.

Common combinations

every day

He walks his dog every day.

every other

We meet every other week.

every now and then

Every now and then she calls an old friend.

every single

Every single seat was taken.

every once in a while

Every once in a while the old pipes rattle.

every bit as

The sequel is every bit as good as the original.

Synonyms and how they differ

each

Each treats members one by one, while every views the group as a whole, and each can stand alone as a pronoun.

all

All takes plural nouns and sees the group together, whereas every takes a singular noun.

any

Any means one of many with no particular choice, while every means all without exception.

Opposites

Word family

everyone pronoun

every person

everything pronoun

all things

everywhere adverb

in all places

everybody pronoun

every person

everyday adjective

ordinary, used daily

Commonly confused: every or everyday? every or each?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “every”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words