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.

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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

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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)

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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

But the scheme was designed so each licensing authority must enforce its own rules, meaning Wolverhampton has officers travelling all over England in order to keep tabs on its licencees.

From BBC

A shriek broke the dawn on the savannah, followed by more screeches and the rustle of branches: The wild Fongoli chimps were bidding each other good morning in the dry, scraggly Sahel.

From Barron's

Every five minutes, he and his fellow researchers take notes, singling out one of the group's 10 adult males to follow each day.

From Barron's

The team measured how much of each material was present and used radiocarbon and lead dating to determine when the layers formed.

From Science Daily

Now, for the first time, we have been able to map two distinct groups at the very top of the Taliban - each presenting competing visions for Afghanistan.

From BBC

Related Words

• all
• individually
• respectively
• separately