every
determiner
UK/ˈɛv.ri/US/ˈɛv.ri/
Used to refer to all the individual members of a group without exception.
Example Sentences
Every student must submit their assignment by Friday.
She attends every yoga class without fail.
Every book on the shelf is a classic.
He checks his emails every morning before starting work.
They visited every country in Europe during their trip.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
adjective
UK/ˈɛv.ri/US/ˈɛv.ri/
Used to refer to each individual member of a group.
Example Sentences
Every member of the team contributed to the project’s success.
She has a different approach for every problem she encounters.
They ensured that every participant received a certificate of completion.
Every piece of equipment was tested for quality before use.
He gives attention to every detail in his artwork.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
How to Use
Indicates each item or person in a set without exception.“Every” is a determiner that refers to all members or items of a category taken individually. You might use it in contexts such as “I check every email I receive” or “Every student must submit the assignment by Friday.” Notice that “every” is typically followed by a singular noun—“every time,” “every door,” “every person”—to imply that you’re talking about each unit within the larger group. Yet it conveys the notion of a complete set, so you’re effectively covering all possibilities. You can also use related expressions for emphasis, like “every single day,” which underscores the sense of totality. In instructions, “every” can make directives clearer by pointing out consistency or universality, e.g., “Perform these steps every hour.” While “every” generally pairs with singular nouns, the verb form following it is also singular—“Every participant gets a badge.” In more idiomatic speech, you can highlight inclusivity: “This invitation goes out to every friend and colleague.” Using “every” helps unify your statement, linking numerous individual instances into one comprehensive set, underlining that not a single instance or person is being left out.
Alternatives
When you want to convey a sense of inclusivity or universality but wish to vary your language, consider words or phrases like “each,” “all,” or “any.” “Each” highlights individual members in a group—“Each student presented their findings,” emphasizing one-by-one participation. “All” puts weight on the collective sum—“All items are on sale today,” focusing on the group as a whole. Meanwhile, “any” conveys an open-ended inclusiveness—“Any attempt is better than none,” suggesting that all attempts are valid. You can also use expressions such as “without exception,” underscoring that nothing is omitted, or “each and every,” which adds intensity in a formal or emphatic context. These options let you shift the emphasis slightly, whether you aim to draw attention to collective unity, individual focus, or all-encompassing possibility. By selecting the right term for your scenario—be it emphasizing each member of a group, the collective entirety, or the possibility of various choices—you keep your language precise and engaging, ensuring clarity in academic writing, workplace communications, or casual conversation alike.
Writing
When writing with “every,” focus on singular nouns to maintain grammatical consistency. Saying “every person” or “every device” is correct, whereas “every people” or “every devices” would not be. Use it to stress uniformity across a group—“Every report must include a summary,” ensuring all reports follow the same guideline. The word is particularly helpful when illustrating the scope of your subject or argument, such as “Every experiment yielded the same result,” giving a sense of completeness. If you need variety, combine it with other terms—“every single instance,” “every possible angle”—to reinforce thoroughness or depth. Avoid overreliance on “every” in large blocks of text, as it can become repetitive. Instead, alternate with synonyms like “each” or “all,” based on context, to maintain a natural flow. In academic or professional writing, “every” can strengthen your claims by implying coverage of every relevant case; just be sure you can back up the extent of that claim. By deploying “every” carefully and supporting it with evidence or detail, you lend clarity and authority to your argument, conveying comprehensive coverage of your topic.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, “every” is your go-to word for inclusivity or total coverage. You might say, “I work out every morning,” hinting at a routine that never changes. If you’re describing a friend’s habit, “She reads every night before bed” underscores consistency. People also use “every” to express personal tastes or experiences—“I love every song on this album” shows you really enjoy them all. The phrase “every single” ramps up emphasis, making it clear just how strongly you feel—“I’ve loved every single episode of that show!” Outside personal statements, you might hear it in casual instructions: “Call me every time you arrive safely,” or in playful exaggeration: “He laughs at every joke he hears.” Since “every” typically takes a singular noun, you’d say “every book,” “every moment,” or “every chance,” helping to spotlight each item or instant in a larger set. Used appropriately and with the right tone, “every” brings a down-to-earth but all-encompassing feel to casual chats, highlighting dedication, thoroughness, or unreserved enthusiasm for something that matters to you.
Etymology
“Every” descends from Old English “ǽfre ǽlc,” a compound concept literally translating to “ever each.” Over time, these words fused into Middle English as “everych” or “every,” evolving from an idea of “at all times, each one” to its modern meaning of “all members of a group, taken singly.” This historical evolution highlights how English has streamlined words to capture the concept of universal coverage in a concise form. Through linguistic shifts and standardization, the multiple forms gradually merged into the single, flexible determiner we use today. Interestingly, the root “ǽfre” (meaning “ever”) appears in related words like “ever” and “everyday,” underscoring a timeless sense of continuity and encompassing reach. Now firmly entrenched in contemporary English, “every” is indispensable for expressing thorough inclusivity, ensuring speakers can communicate that each unit or instance in a larger set is accounted for without exception.
