Gillles L

[Gilles L]

Dear Teacher,

Can you please help me differentiate "every" from "each".
What are the rules that govern these two words ?

for example which sentence is correct ?
1) each day I go to work
2) every day I go to work

Moreover, where can I find information on your site that will give me additional clarification on the foregoing ?

Many thanks.

[Hi_there_Carl]

Each and every have similar but not always identical meanings.
Each = every one separately
Every = each, all
Sometimes, each and every have the same meaning:

• Prices go up each year.
• Prices go up every year.

But often they are not exactly the same.
Each expresses the idea of 'one by one'. It emphasizes individuality.
Every is half-way between each and all. It sees things or people as singular, but in a group or in general.
Consider the following:

• Every artist is sensitive.
• Each artist sees things differently.
• Every soldier saluted as the President arrived.
• The President gave each soldier a medal.

Each can be used in front of the verb:

• The soldiers each received a medal.

Each can be followed by 'of':

• The President spoke to each of the soldiers.
• He gave a medal to each of them.

Every cannot be used for 2 things. For 2 things, each can be used:

• He was carrying a suitcase in each hand.

Every is used to say how often something happens:

• There is a plane to São Paulo every day.
• The bus leaves every hour.