each and every one (each one)

Each and every is a common go-to when writers want to stress thoroughness, but it often adds redundancy or causes agreement errors. Keep the phrase only when tone or legal precision demands emphasis; otherwise pick each or every and check verb agreement.

Quick answer: when to use each, every, or each and every

Each treats items one by one; every treats the group as a whole. Each and every is grammatical but usually redundant-use it for intentional emphasis. Always pair these with a singular verb.

Each = one at a time / individual attention (Each student was called.)
Every = all members as a group / generalization (Every student passed.)
Each and every = rhetorical or legal emphasis; avoid in routine prose.
Agreement: each/every → singular verb (Each option is; Every item is).

Core explanation: simple, usable rules

Two quick tests: (A) Replace the phrase with "one by one"-if it fits, each is right. (B) Replace it with "all"-if that fits, use every. If you feel compelled to hammer home inclusiveness, each and every is a stylistic choice, not a grammatical requirement.

If you mean one at a time → each. If you mean all without exception → every.
With of + noun, use a singular verb: Each of the reports is ready.
Prefer concise wording in emails and documents; keep each and every for speech, legal text, or deliberate emphasis.

Usage: Each paragraph was reviewed. (individual attention)
Usage: Every paragraph met the standard. (group-level statement)
Usage: Each and every paragraph was reviewed. (strong emphasis; often redundant)

When 'each and every' is appropriate

Use the phrase when you intentionally add force: legal clauses, disciplinary notices, or persuasive speeches. In most professional and academic writing it adds bulk without new meaning.

Keep it in: legal terms, formal warnings, or rhetorical closings.
Drop it in: business emails, academic copy, news, and most policies.

Work (emphatic): I will hold each and every contractor accountable for violations. (formal tone)
Work (concise): I will hold every contractor accountable for violations. (less dramatic)
Speech: Each and every one of you can make a difference. (rhetorical emphasis)

Grammar notes: verbs and pronouns

Each, every, and each and every take singular verbs. Use singular they for inclusivity or his or her in very formal contexts. When you delete words, recheck verb and pronoun agreement.

Correct: Every candidate is ready; Each applicant was notified.
Pronouns: singular they is natural-Each student should bring their notebook. Formal alternative: his or her.
Common error: Each of the team members were → correct: Each of the team members was.

Wrong: Each of the committee members were present.
Right: Each of the committee members was present.
Wrong: Every student must submit their essay. (flagged by strict guides)
Right: Every student must submit their essay. (widely accepted) - or - Every student must submit his or her essay. (formal)

Real usage and tone: work, school, and casual examples

Choose concise options for routine contexts; reserve each for one-by-one tasks and every for blanket policies. In spoken English each and every often conveys earnestness but can sound overwrought in written text.

At work: use every for policies and each for assigned tasks.
At school: use every for announcements, each for individualized feedback.
Casual: each and every works in speech for emphasis but trim it in messages.

Work - wrong: I asked each and every team member to fill out the survey.
Work - right: I asked each team member to fill out the survey.
Work-policy-wrong: Each and every employee must wear a badge while on site.
Work-policy-right: Every employee must wear a badge while on site.
School - wrong: Each and every student is required to show ID.
School - right: Every student is required to show ID.
School-individual-wrong: Each and every one of you will be graded separately.
School-individual-right: Each of you will be graded separately.
Casual - wrong: I told each and every person at the party.
Casual - right: I told everyone at the party.
Casual-emphatic: She thanked each and every volunteer. (theatrical emphasis)

Examples gallery: 6 quick wrong → right pairs to copy

Pick the version that matches whether you want individual focus (each) or a blanket statement (every).

Wrong: Please make sure each and every invoice is filed. -
Right: Please make sure every invoice is filed.
Wrong: We graded each and every answer on the test. -
Right: We graded every answer on the test.
Wrong: Each and every one of us were excited. -
Right: Each of us was excited.
Wrong: Each and every one of the offers were rejected. -
Right: Every offer was rejected.
Wrong: She hugged each and every guest at the door. -
Right: She hugged every guest at the door.
Wrong: Each and every one of the boxes were opened. -
Right: Each box was opened.

Try your own sentence

Test the whole sentence in context: remove "and every," then read aloud to check tone and agreement.

Rewrite help: three step-by-step examples

Three steps: (1) Decide if emphasis is necessary. (2) Choose each or every. (3) Fix verb/pronoun and simplify further if possible.

Rewrite 1 Original: I inspected each and every machine on the floor. →
Concise: I inspected every machine on the floor. → Cleaner: I inspected the machines on the floor.
Rewrite 2 Original: She corrected each and every mistake in the draft. →
Concise: She corrected every mistake in the draft. → Outcome focus: She fixed the draft's mistakes.
Rewrite 3 Original: Each and every one of the attendees were accounted for. → Corrected: Every attendee was accounted for.

Fix your own sentence: quick exercises

When you spot each and every: remove one word, check verb number, and try a shorter phrasing that centers the action.

Edit checklist: Remove "and every" → singular verb? → try active verb + plural noun.
Practice 1: Edit "Each and every applicant is required to submit proof." → "Every applicant is required to submit proof."
Practice 2: Edit "I asked each and every one of them to confirm." → "I asked each of them to confirm."
Practice 3: Edit "Each and every employee must complete the checklist." → "Every employee must complete the checklist." → Cleaner: "Employees must complete the checklist."

Memory tricks and similar mistakes

Visual trick: picture a row of items. If you point at them one by one, use each. If you refer to the whole row, use every. Treat each and every as a red flag to check tone and agreement.

Watch related confusions: everyone vs every one, everyday vs every day, and pronoun errors after each/every.

Everyone (one word) = pronoun meaning all people. Every one (two words) = each item of a set.
Everyday (adjective, "ordinary") ≠ every day (each day).
Singular they is fine after each/every in most contexts: Each student should bring their notebook.

Wrong: Everyone of the cookies was gone. -
Right: Every one of the cookies was gone. - or - All of the cookies were gone.
Wrong: She runs everyday. -
Right: She runs every day.

Hyphenation and spacing: punctuation to re-check

Write each and every as three separate words. There are no hyphenation rules for the phrase. More important: removing words can change clause boundaries and comma placement.

No hyphen: do not write "each-and-every."
After you delete words, read the sentence aloud to ensure commas and clause attachments still work.

Awkward: Each and every one, who arrived late, signed a note. → Better: Each person who arrived late signed a note.
Spacing: Use standard spaces; punctuation may need adjusting after deletion.

FAQ

Is "each and every" grammatically incorrect?

No. It's grammatical but often redundant. Use it for deliberate emphasis; otherwise choose each or every for clarity and brevity.

Does "each and every" change verb agreement?

No. It still takes a singular verb: "Each and every participant is expected to attend." Keep the verb singular if you rewrite to each or every.

Which is correct: "each one" or "every one"?

"Each one" emphasizes individuals (one at a time). "Every one" (two words) is similar to every and stresses all items in a set. "Everyone" (one word) is a pronoun meaning all people. Choose based on whether you mean individual attention or the group.

Can I use "their" after each or every?

Yes. Singular they/their is widely accepted and reads naturally: "Each student should bring their notebook." In very formal contexts, "his or her" remains an option.

How do I quickly rewrite heavy sentences using each and every?

Three quick steps: (1) Drop "and every" unless emphasis is needed. (2) Ensure the verb is singular. (3) If the sentence still feels bulky, recast it around the action (e.g., "I inspected the machines" instead of "I inspected each and every machine").

Quick checklist before you hit send

See "each and every"? Ask: emphasis required? singular verb? is a cleaner phrasing available? Those three checks tighten emails, policies, and lesson notes-reserve the emphatic phrase for moments that truly need it.