Possible agreement error: Each of them likes their (his/her)

Short answer: "Each of the" takes singular agreement. The subject head is each, so use a singular verb (is, was, has). For pronouns, use "his or her" in very formal contexts or singular they in most modern usage; when phrasing feels awkward, rewrite.

Quick answer

Each of the takes singular agreement: use a singular verb and, in formal contexts, a singular pronoun. Singular they is widely accepted in everyday and many professional contexts; if it's awkward, rewrite the sentence.

Verb: Each of the proposals is strong. (not are)
Formal pronoun: Each of the students submitted his or her paper.
Neutral/informal: Each of the students submitted their paper.

Core explanation: one at a time

"Each" distributes to members one by one; grammatically it is the subject head. The following "of the + plural noun" phrase modifies but does not control agreement. That means the verb should be singular.

Head word: each → singular verb
The of-phrase is a modifier, not the grammatical subject
Pronoun choice: prefer "his or her" in formal settings; singular they is fine in many others

Wrong: Each of the players were ready.
Right: Each of the players was ready.

Grammar details: verbs, pronouns, edge cases

Pair each with singular verbs (is, was, has, needs). Indefinite pronouns like everyone and neither also take singular verbs. For pronouns, either use "his or her" for strict formality or singular they for clarity and inclusivity; when ambiguity or clumsiness arises, rewrite.

Singular verbs after "each of the": is, was, has, needs
Formal: his or her; modern neutral: singular they
If the action truly applies to the group at once, prefer a plural construction (e.g., "All of the students signed the petition")

Wrong: Each of the cakes were decorated last night.
Right: Each of the cakes was decorated last night.
Usage (informal): Each of the nominees said they appreciated the recognition.

Real usage and tone

Match pronoun and rewrite choices to audience and format. Academic, legal, or formal corporate contexts often prefer "his or her" or a rewrite to avoid pronouns. Internal emails, blogs, and most web writing accept singular they and usually read more natural.

Formal contexts: rewrite or use "his or her."
Everyday workplace and online: singular they is readable and widely accepted.
When in doubt: rewrite to plural or make the actor singular.

Work - formal: Each of the auditors submitted his or her report. (formal)
Work-modern: Each of the auditors submitted their report. (internal)
Academic-rewrite: All auditors submitted reports. (clear, avoids pronouns)

Try a grammar checker

If you're unsure about tone or the right pronoun, a checker can flag "each of the" + verb/pronoun mismatches and suggest rewrites. Use suggestions as prompts: accept, adjust, or rewrite to match your audience.

Examples: copy-ready wrong/right pairs (work, school, casual)

Corrected forms follow each wrong example. Modern singular they alternatives are marked where appropriate.

Work - wrong: Each of the employees were given access to the new system.
Work - right: Each of the employees was given access to the new system.
Work - wrong: Each of the managers have completed the training.
Work - right: Each of the managers has completed the training.
Work - wrong: Each of the candidates updated their portfolios.
Work - right: Each of the candidates updated his or her portfolio. (formal) - Each of the candidates updated their portfolio. (informal)
School - wrong: Each of the students were given the exam.
School - right: Each of the students was given the exam.
School - wrong: Each of the chapters contain important themes.
School - right: Each of the chapters contains important themes.
School - wrong: Each of the applicants sent their references late.
School - right: Each of the applicants sent his or her reference late. (formal) - Each applicant sent their reference late. (modern)
Casual - wrong: Each of the friends were already at the café.
Casual - right: Each of the friends was already at the café.
Casual - wrong: Each of the kids have their own water bottle.
Casual - right: Each of the kids has their own water bottle. (informal) - Each child has a water bottle. (clear rewrite)
Casual - wrong: Each of the photos were taken on the same day.
Casual - right: Each of the photos was taken on the same day.

Rewrite help: three fast patterns with paste-ready examples

Pick a pattern to match tone: A = pluralize, B = make the actor singular, C = restructure to avoid the pronoun.

Pattern A (Pluralize): Change "Each of the X" → "All of the X" or "The X" (use plural verb).
Pattern B (Singular actor): Change "Each of the X" → "Each X" (keeps singular verb, simpler pronoun use).
Pattern C (Restructure): Use passive or a noun phrase to eliminate pronoun choice.

Rewrite-A: Wrong: Each of the employees updated their profile. → All of the employees updated their profiles.
Rewrite-B: Wrong: Each of the students turned in their homework late. → Each student turned in a homework assignment late.
Rewrite-C: Wrong: Each of the committee members submitted their feedback. → Feedback was submitted by each committee member.
Rewrite-A2: Wrong: Each of the applicants sent their CV. → All applicants sent their CVs.
Rewrite-B2: Wrong: Each of the players forgot their jersey. → Each player forgot a jersey.

Try your own sentence

Test the whole sentence in context-the surrounding words often determine the best fix.

Fix your sentence: a three-step checklist

Run these quick steps to correct most errors.

Step 1: Identify the head word. If it's each, plan for singular agreement.
Step 2: Change the verb to singular (is/was/has).
Step 3: Choose pronoun (his or her vs singular they) or apply a rewrite pattern if the sentence feels clumsy.

Checklist example: "Each of the reviewers have submitted their comments." → Step 1: head = each. Step 2: have → has. Step 3: keep "their" (informal) or rewrite: "All reviewers have submitted comments."

Memory trick and quick signals to spot the error

Use the swap test and watch for red-flag words.

Swap test: Replace "each of the X" with "one of the X." If the sentence still makes sense, use singular agreement.
Signal words: a plural-looking noun after of plus a plural verb (were, have) or a plural pronoun (their) is a red flag-double-check.

Swap: Each of the candidates was nervous. → One of the candidates was nervous. (works → singular)
Signal: Incorrect signal: Each of the files were corrupted. ("were" signals an error)

Hyphenation, spacing, and tiny style notes

"Each of the" is three separate words - no hyphenation, normal spacing, normal capitalization. Follow your organization's style guide for pronoun preference.

No hyphen: write "each of the students" (never "each-of-the-students").
Spacing: single spaces as usual; no special typography required.
Style: consult your publication or employer guide for pronoun rules.

Usage: Correct: Each of the proposals received a review.
Incorrect: Each-of-the-proposals received a review.

Similar mistakes to watch for

These constructions cause similar confusion: all of the, none of the, both of the, and collective nouns like team or staff.

All of the + plural noun usually takes a plural verb when you mean the group collectively: All of the students are present.
None of the can be singular or plural depending on emphasis: None is missing (singular) vs None are missing (plural emphasis).
Both of the and both take plural agreement: Both of the players are ready.

Similar: "All of the class is confusing" vs "All of the class are confused" - prefer "The students are confused" or "All of the students are confused" for clarity.
None: None of the proposals was acceptable. (singular emphasis) - None of the proposals were acceptable. (plural emphasis)

FAQ

Is "each of the" singular or plural?

"Each of the" takes singular agreement. Use a singular verb because each is the subject head; the plural noun after of is a modifier.

Can I use "their" after "each of the"?

Yes in informal and many professional contexts-singular they/their is widely accepted. For formal writing or strict style requirements, use "his or her" or rewrite the sentence.

Which verb should follow "each of the"?

Use a singular verb: Each of the students is present; Each of the reports was filed.

What are quick rewrites if "his or her" sounds clumsy?

Three quick options: make the subject plural (All of the X), make the actor singular (Each X), or restructure (Passive or noun phrase: Feedback was submitted by each X).

Does any style guide allow singular "they" after "each of the"?

Many modern guides permit singular they in general usage; still check your institution's guide if you must follow a particular standard.

Still unsure? Paste one sentence

Paste a sentence that uses "each of the" and you'll get the singular correction plus two rewrite options-one formal and one casual-to choose from.