Learning English

Quantifiers

In this session we look at the words all, each, every, both, either and neither. We call them quantifiers: words that give us information about the number or amount of something. Other examples of quantifiers are some, more, less, most, enough and several. In this unit we're looking at what happens when they're followed by nouns.

So first, let's examine all, each and every. If you're studying at this level then you'll know these words already. You'll know they mean the whole number of something in a group. But what are the differences?

Complete the activity

To do

Answer the questions to help you work out the differences in form, meaning and use between these three words. The questions are about the topic of student accommodation.

Summary

How did you do? We hope you got them all right! Here are the answers again, for your reference.

1) All or All the is followed by a plural or uncountable noun. Every and each are followed by a singular noun.

• All the students have their own rooms.
• All the information about accommodation is on our website.
• Every student has their own room.
• Each student has their own room.

2)  Every and each can often be used in the same place, but we prefer every when we are thinking about the whole number in a group, and each when we are thinking about the members of the group as individuals.

• Every room has Wi-Fi. Each one has a different view.

3) To emphasise the individual members of a group, use every not each.

• I was too late to apply for accommodation. Every room in the building is already taken.

4) For only two things, we can use each but not every.

• The university has two student dormitories, with about 1,000 students in each building.

5) All and each but not every can be followed by of + a plural noun or pronoun. Notice that each of with a plural noun or pronoun is followed by a singular verb.

• All of the students have a phone in the room.
• Each of them has a phone in their room.

Next

So, those are the rules for all, each and every. Look out for them in sentences you read in English - especially the difference between each and every. Next, we'll look at three more quantifiers: both, either and neither.