All - Every - Each

All, every and Each

Each word means the same in Dutch, namely: 'elke', however, the exact meaning is slightly different. Which one do you use at what moment?

 

All:

You use the word 'all' if you want to talk about a whole group, without any exceptions. The world 'all' is always followed by a plural:

 

Every:

If you want to stress or address certain parts of a group, you can use the word 'every'. The word 'every' is followed by a singular form.

 

Each:

If you want to address, stress or talk about a minority within the group (usually a small amount in comparison to the 'all-amount', or in groups or smaller amounts less than 3), you use 'each'. The words 'each' is followed by a singular form.

If you want people to think of each groupmemeber as an individual (stress that its not just a gross, but everyone individually makes a whole) you can also use 'each'. You may determine persons & things with the word 'each'.