each

American  

[eech] / itʃ /

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 British  

/ iːtʃ /

determiner

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

      each day

      each person

   2. ( as pronoun )

      each gave according to his ability

---

adverb

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

   four apples each

each Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing each

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

---

Usage

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. See also they.

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

Related Words

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.

Etymology

Origin of each

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

Example Sentences

Patterson has been working remotely since the pandemic and estimates he is saving $200 in gas each month by skipping the commute.

From MarketWatch

Mr. Pacino had to redo the scene multiple times “until he regained the appropriate vivacity. A technician was then asked to remind him of his character’s age in each scene.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Customers buy tokens to use AI services - but the amount of tokens needed for each task is sometimes opaque.

From BBC

Ortiz’s show premiering at the Joy Who Lived Festival revels in the unhinged and urges people to judge each other for past messes with the opportunity to redeem oneself through comedy.

From Los Angeles Times

For me, it was important to give us the rehearsal space, to experiment with the physicality of the space and how we relate to each other.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• all
• individually
• respectively
• separately