- each
- 1
/i:tS/ determiner,
pronoun
1 every single one or two or more things or people considered separately: Jane had a blister on each foot. | There are four bedrooms, each with its own shower. | The price is $60 for a week, then $10 for each extra day. | My sister's got two boys and I've got one of each. (=one son and one daughter)(+ of): I gave a piece of cake to each of the children. | we/you/they each: My wife and I each have our own bank accounts. | one/half/a piece etc each: Biscuits! Can we have two each, Mum?2 each and every one an expression used to emphasize that you are talking about every single person or thing in a group: These are issues that affect each and every one of us.3 each to his own old-fashioned used to mean that we all have different ideas about how to do things, what we like etc—see also: all 1, all 3, every USAGE NOTE: EACH WORD CHOICE: each, every, both, everybody/everyone, nobody/no one, neither Each is used for any number of people or things considered separately, every for any number considered together: Each item is carefully checked (=probably one by one).| Every item has been carefully checked (=all of them).| Each child was given a small gift (=a gift of their own).| Every child was given a small gift (=they were all given one). Both is used for two things taken together: Both my children (=I have two children) go to the same school. | Each of my children (=I have two or more children) goes to a different school. You usually use everyone or everybody rather than every person, though in a formal report you might read: The document was signed by every person present (NEVER every persons/people). You do not usually use everyone or everybody followed by not . Instead you say not everybody/everyone ... or no one/nobody ..., depending on which you mean: Not everybody here is a vegetarian (=some people are but not all).| No one here is a vegetarian (=none of the people here is a vegetarian). You would almost NEVER say Everyone here isn't a vegetarian. Similarly instead of using both... followed by not ... you would say only one ... or neither ...: Only one of them knows the answer. | Neither of them knows the answer . You would not usually say: Both of them don't know the answer. GRAMMAR Both is always plural: Both these books are mine. A noun immediately after each or every is always singular: Each/every area of the country (NOT areas). Every, everyone, everything etc always take a singular verb: Every state elects its own governor. Each takes a singular verb except when it comes after a plural word: Each of them won $50. | They each won/have each won $50 . However in informal spoken English people sometimes use a plural verb, especially when there are a lot of words between each of and the verb: Each of the kids arriving for the first time are shown around the school. However, some people think only the singular verb is correct. Each and every may be followed by a plural pronoun, especially when you are talking about both males and females: Each girl must make up her own mind. | Each person must make up their own mind. It sounds a little formal to say: Each person must make up his or her own mind and it is considered sexist to use he unless you are only talking about men or boys. In a similar way plural pronouns (but not plural verbs) can go with everyone, everybody, anyone, no one, someone etc: Has everyone finished their drinks? | Somebody's left their umbrella behind. | No one here seems to know what they are doing. 2 adverb for or to every one: The tickets are $5 each.
Longman dictionary of contemporary English. 2004.