# Usage question: "each" vs. "every"

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usage-question-each-vs-every/195439>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 15, 2003, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usage-question-each-vs-every/195439 "2003-08-15T18:34:58Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Beruang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/77aa72/32.png) [@Beruang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beruang)\
**Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usage-question-each-vs-every/195439/1 "2003-08-15T18:34:58Z")

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Is there a distinction between “each” and “every”? The dictionaries I have consulted use the words to define one another; the usage guides do not touch on the subject (other than to say “avoid the cliche”); and entering “each and every” into a web search results in an unwiedly number of hits, as you might well imagine.

So, are they pretty much interchangeable, or is there some subtle distinction between them?

Thanks,

– Beruang

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**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\
**Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usage-question-each-vs-every/195439/2 "2003-08-15T18:41:40Z")

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The distinction is subtle. The word _each_ emphasizes the individuality of the person, place, or thing; while _every_ emphasizes the inclusiveness of all persons, places, or things. Think of the sentence, “_Every_one knows that!” You wouldn’t say, "_Each_ one knows that!

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**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\
**Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usage-question-each-vs-every/195439/3 "2003-08-15T20:57:21Z")

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From the editors of the OED (bolding mine):

> [@](#):
>
> The early use of “each” corresponded closely to the modern use of its compound “every” (= “ever each”), **the only difference being that it has always been possible to use “each” when only two things are referred to**. Thus a sentence with a singular subject preceded by “each” would (formerly) have been slightly if at all altered in meaning by the substitution of a plural subject preceded by “all.” In modern usage “each” has assumed the sense of the Latin _quisque_ and implies a distribution of the predicate or object parallel with the distribution of the subject (or conversely). An exception to this rule results from the fact that **we cannot use “every” when only two persons or things are spoken of** , so that in this case “each” retains its original extended use.