each

[ eech ]

adjective

1. every one of two or more considered individually or one by one:

   each stone in a building; a hallway with a door at each end.

pronoun

1. every one individually; each one:

   Each had a different solution to the problem.

adverb

1. to, from, or for each; apiece:

   They cost a dollar each.

each

/ iːtʃ /

determiner

1. 1. every (one) of two or more considered individually

      each person

      each day

   2. ( as pronoun )

      each gave according to his ability

adverb

1. for, to, or from each one; apiece

   four apples each

Usage Note

The adjective each is always followed by a singular noun: each person; each book. When the adjective follows a plural subject, the verb agrees with the subject: They each dress in different styles. The houses each have central heating. When the pronoun each comes immediately before the verb, it always takes a singular verb: Each comes (not come ) from a different country. When the pronoun is followed by an of phrase containing a plural noun or pronoun, there is a tendency for the verb to be plural: Each of the candidates has (or have ) spoken on the issue. Some usage guides maintain that only the singular verb is correct, but plural verbs occur frequently even in edited writing. It is also sometimes said that the pronoun each must always be referred to by a singular pronoun, but again actual usage does not regularly observe this stricture: Each member of our garden club had their own special interests. In the most formal speech and writing, singular verbs and pronouns occur more frequently than plural: Each member … had his own special interests. The use of plural forms, especially plural pronouns, has been increasing in the United States, partially because of the desire to avoid using he or his to refer to a female. Anyone, anybody, everyone, everybody, no one, someone, and somebody follow the same general patterns of pronoun agreement as each. they.

Usage

Each is a singular pronoun and should be used with a singular form of a verb: each of the candidates was (not were ) interviewed separately

Word History and Origins

Origin of each¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English eche, Old English ælc, equivalent to ā “ever” ( ay ¹ ) + (ge)līc alike; cognate with Old High German ēo-gilīh, Old Frisian ellīk, Dutch, Low German elk

Word History and Origins

Origin of each¹

Old English ǣlc; related to Old High German ēogilīh, Old Frisian ellik, Dutch elk

Idioms and Phrases

• at each other's throats
• made for (each other)

Synonym Study

Each, every are alike in having a distributive meaning. Of two or more members composing an aggregate, each directs attention to the separate members in turn: Each child (of those considered and enumerated) received a large apple. Every emphasizes inclusiveness or universality: Every child (of all in existence) likes to play.

Example Sentences

Woodward and Bernstein had known each other casually years earlier at the Orange County School of the Arts.

From Los Angeles Times

Leaders from both major parties still have to negotiate how many senators from their caucuses will serve on each committee, and decide leadership roles for senior senators.

From Los Angeles Times

“I think there’s a tradeoff there and a balance, and each situation being a little bit different, those considerations need to happen and they need to be talked about,” Fennessy said.

From Los Angeles Times

At a fraught time when powerful forces are trying to set people against each other, that’s something good to hold onto.

From Los Angeles Times

The three different types of cones in our eyes each absorb different wavelengths of light.

From Salon

Related Words

• all
• individually
• respectively
• separately