each
Use “each” when thinking about single members within a group. This word is always singular.
- Each student must do his or her own work.
- Each employee knows what needs to be done.
- Each of the tomatoes I picked is ripe.
- There are ten different types of apples at the grocery store. Each is a little different from the others.
- I bought one of each. (This means I bought one apple of every type: ten apples.)
Each cyclist is giving an all-out effort.
a. Use "each" as an adjective.
When “each” comes before a noun, it’s an adjective. It refers to single members of a group. It’s very similar to the word “every,” but there are some differences. Generally, the word “each” helps to emphasize the individual nature of a person or a thing within a group.
- Each student has a book.
- There is a desk for each student.
- Sophia is very sick. She appreciates each day she remains alive.
- It’s up to each person to try to make the world a better place.
- When I buy eggs, I look at each egg to make that that it is unbroken in the carton.
- Each egg is inspected carefully.
a. Use "each" as an adjective.
- Each person at this concert is excited to be here.
- Each robot can do the work of several people twenty-four hours a day.
- Each of these robots can do the work of several people twenty-four hours a day. (In this sentence, “each” is a pronoun. “Of these robots” is a prepositional phrase that modifies “each.”)
b. Use "each" as a pronoun.
When “each” is a pronoun, it’s singular.
- Each of the students has a book. (The word “each” is the subject in the sentence. The word “students” is not the subject in the sentence. Instead, it’s part of a prepositional phrase, of the students. The subject, each, and the main verb, has, are singular.)
- Each has a book. (Compare this to Each student has a book above. By removing the prepositional phrase, the relationship between the subject and the verb is clearer.)
- Sophia bought each of her five children new clothes for school. (In this sentence, “each” is an object. The prepositional phrase, of her five children, provides information for the pronoun, each.
- Each child has new clothes for school. (In this sentence, “each” is an adjective. The word “child” is the subject.)
- Martha has 20 students in her classroom. Each is happy about returning to school this year. (each = student)
- I want each of you to listen to me.
b. Use "each" as a pronoun.
- There are eight employees in the company. Each has an important role to play.
- She’s picking apples. She carefully removes each with her hands.
c. each -- adjective or adverb
When talking about prices for things sold in a store, the word “each” is used for items sold individually.
- Those are a dollar each.
- The bananas are .29 cents each.
- Each banana costs .29 cents. (In this sentence, “each” is an adjective.)
- The sandwiches are five euros each at the cafe.
- If costs just a few cents each to make these screws.
- We paid five cents each for our bags at the grocery store.
- That will be fifty cents each.
c. each -- adjective or adverb
- The pineapples cost $2.99 each.
- The apples are a dollar each.
- They cost a dollar each.
- They each cost a dollar.
d. each vs. every
The main difference between these two words is that “each” can be an adjective or a pronoun, and “every” is an adjective. However, these words are similar when they refer to singular things or people. Use “each” for individual items or people. Use “every” for all items or people within a group.
- Each student has a book.
- Each has a book. (Compare this to Each student has a book above.)
- Every student has a book. (All of the students within a group have a book.)
- I am grateful for every day of my life.
- I am grateful for each day.
- For all of the days in my life, I am grateful for each.
- I am grateful of each and every day! (You will hear people use “each and every” as a phrase. It provided emphasis for a situation.)