every and each

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

gilevgi - 07 Mar 2005 08:09 GMT

Can anybody explain the difference of "each" and "every" with examples?
thanks in advance?

Reply to this Message

Tony Mountifield - 07 Mar 2005 08:31 GMT

> Can anybody explain the difference of "each" and "every" with examples?
> thanks in advance?

They are very similar in many usages, but with slightly different emphasis.

In "He examined each item....", "each" emphasizes the individual attention
given to an item.

In "He examined every item....", "every" emphasizes that no item was omitted.

Hope this helps,
Tony

Signature

Tony Mountifield
Work: tony@softins.co.uk - http://www.softins.co.uk
Play: tony@mountifield.org - http://tony.mountifield.org

Reply to this Message

Molly Mockford - 07 Mar 2005 08:54 GMT

At 08:31:24 on Mon, 7 Mar 2005, Tony Mountifield
<tony@softins.clara.co.uk> wrote in <d0h3gs$55r$1@softins.clara.co.uk>:

>> Can anybody explain the difference of "each" and "every" with examples?
>> thanks in advance?
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
>In "He examined every item....", "every" emphasizes that no item was omitted.

In addition, there is a difference in construction when you put it the
other way around:

"Each of the items was examined..."
"Every item was examined..."

Both of those are correct. You can also say:

"Each item was examined..."

But you cannot say:

"Every of the items was examined..."

Signature

Molly Mockford
They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety
deserve neither liberty nor safety - Benjamin Franklin
(My Reply-To address *is* valid, though may not remain so for ever.)

Reply to this Message

Dave Fawthrop - 07 Mar 2005 08:56 GMT

| > Can anybody explain the difference of "each" and "every" with examples?
| > thanks in advance?
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
|
| In "He examined every item....", "every" emphasizes that no item was omitted.

"each and every" is not unknown and includes both, indicating *extreme*
care.

Signature

Dave F

Reply to this Message

Discussion Groups / British English / March 2005

every and each