each and every (every)

Most of the time, "each and every" is redundant: choose one word unless you need a deliberate, forceful tone. Below are clear rules, quick swaps, and many before/after pairs to help you fix sentences fast.

Quick answer

Use each for one-by-one items; use every for general or recurring statements. Avoid pairing them unless you want emphasis (legal, rhetorical).

Each = individual members, one at a time (each student, each chapter).
Every = the whole group or repeated events (every student, every month).
Keep "each and every" only for intentional emphasis in speech, ads, or contracts.

Core grammar: what each and every mean

Each focuses on members individually; every treats them as a whole or as repeated occurrences. Both take singular verbs: "Each student is..." / "Every student is...".

If you imagine pointing at items one by one, use each.
If you sweep across the group or mean "always" or "regularly," use every.
Check verb agreement and pronouns after you swap words.

Example: Wrong: Each and every chapter is long. Better: Each chapter is long. Or: Every chapter is long.
Example (recurring): Wrong: Each and every day I practice. Better: Every day I practice.

When is "each and every" acceptable?

Use both words when you want forceful emphasis or to ensure legal completeness. In ordinary prose-academic, business, casual-drop one for clarity.

Legal: common and intentional-"Each and every condition of this Agreement...".
Rhetorical/speech: fine for emphasis but sounds formal.
Neutral writing: delete one word to avoid redundancy.

Work (legal): Each and every obligation under this agreement is binding. (Acceptable here.)
Casual (overwrought): I love each and every one of you. → I love all of you.

Real usage and tone: match the phrase to your audience

Pick the word that suits tone and purpose. Casual speech prefers collective words; policy language needs precision.

Casual: use everyone, all, you all, or every + noun for natural tone.
Work/policy: use every for sweeping rules; use each for itemized requirements.
Legal/marketing: "each and every" signals formality or emphasis.

Work:
Wrong: Each and every employee is expected to attend the briefing. Better: Every employee is expected to attend the briefing.
School:
Wrong: Each and every student must complete the lab. Better: Each student must complete the lab. Or: Every student must complete the lab.
Casual:
Wrong: Each and every time we go out, it rains. Better: Every time we go out, it rains.

Simple rules and a short checklist to fix sentences

Run this quick checklist when you see "each and every":

1) Do you mean one-by-one? → keep each.
2) Do you mean "all" or a recurring event? → keep every.
3) Do you need emphatic force (legal/speech)? → you may keep both; otherwise delete one.
After the swap, read aloud and check verb agreement and pronouns.

Rewrite (work): Original: Each and every team member must sign the waiver. Fix: Each team member must sign the waiver. Or: Every team member must sign the waiver.
Rewrite (school): Original: Each and every of the five nominees will be interviewed. Fix: Each of the five nominees will be interviewed.

Examples you can copy: work, school, casual (before/after pairs)

Choose the corrected form directly or adapt the tone by selecting among the options shown.

Work:
Wrong: Each and every member of the board approved the motion.
Right: Each board member approved the motion. / Every board member approved the motion.
Work:
Wrong: Each and every employee is expected to attend the briefing.
Right: Every employee is expected to attend the briefing.
Work:
Wrong: Each and every department head submitted a report.
Right: Every department head submitted a report.
School:
Wrong: Each and every student must complete the lab exercise.
Right: Every student must complete the lab exercise.
School:
Wrong: Each and every of the five finalists will present.
Right: Each of the five finalists will present.
School:
Wrong: Each and every one of the submissions is graded.
Right: Each submission is graded. / All submissions are graded.
Casual:
Wrong: I love each and every song you send me.
Right: I love every song you send me.
Casual:
Wrong: Each and every time we go out, it rains.
Right: Every time we go out, it rains.
Casual:
Wrong: Each and every one of you should pick a dessert.
Right: You all should pick a dessert. / Everyone should pick a dessert.
Work:
Wrong: Each and every candidate must submit three references.
Right: Each candidate must submit three references. / Every candidate must submit three references.
Work:
Wrong: Each and every day, the system backs up data.
Right: Every day the system backs up data. (Keep the comma only if the introductory phrase needs it.)

Try your own sentence

Test the whole sentence in context. Often the surrounding words make the best choice obvious.

Rewrite patterns: three fast swaps you can apply immediately

Use one pattern depending on meaning and tone.

Pattern 1 (list/individuals): "Each and every one of the X" → "Each X" or "Each of the X".
Pattern 2 (rules/regular events): "Each and every" → "Every" + noun or "Every time" for recurring events.
Pattern 3 (people/emotional tone): Replace with "all", "everyone", or "you all" for conversational warmth.

Rewrite:
Original: Each and every one of the volunteers received a thank-you.
Rewrite: Each volunteer received a thank-you. / All the volunteers received a thank-you.
Rewrite:
Original: Each and every morning he checks the dashboard.
Rewrite: Every morning he checks the dashboard.
Rewrite:
Original: Each and every one of my teammates did their part.
Rewrite: All of my teammates did their part. Or: Each teammate did their part.

Memory trick and quick checks

Picture pointing versus sweeping: point at one item = each; sweep your hand across the group = every. If the sentence feels doubled, remove one word.

Point with a finger = each. Sweep your hand = every.
Quick test: Say the sentence aloud. If it sounds doubled-up, drop one word.
After changing the word, recheck subject-verb agreement and pronoun forms.

Usage tip: Say it: "Each and every student is..." If you naturally point while saying it, use "each"; if you sweep, use "every".

Similar mistakes and a short grammar checklist

Writers often stack near-synonyms for emphasis. Deleting one word usually improves clarity. Also watch agreement: each/every take singular verbs but can imply multiple people.

Remove one of redundant pairs (e.g., null and void, basic and fundamental).
Agreement: "Each of the students is" is correct; often clearer: "Each student is" or "The students are".
Pronouns: avoid "Each student must bring their laptop" in formal writing; prefer "Each student must bring a laptop" or "Students must bring their laptops."

School - Wrong_right: Wrong: Each and every student must bring their laptop.
Right: Each student must bring a laptop. Better (casual): Students must bring their laptops.
Wrong_right: Wrong: Each and every principle are stated.
Right: Each principle is stated. / Every principle is stated.

Hyphenation, spacing and punctuation notes

Removing words can affect commas, pronouns, and verb agreement. There are no hyphens with each or every; adjust punctuation as needed for clarity.

No hyphenation required for "each" or "every".
If the phrase starts an introductory clause, keep or adjust commas: "Every day, we..." vs "Every day we...".
After changing to "each" or "every", verify subject-verb agreement and pronoun forms.

Usage: Original: Each and every, the rules changed. Fix: Every day, the rules changed. Or: The rules changed every day.
Work - Usage: Original: Each and every of the three files are missing. Fix: Each of the three files is missing. Or: All three files are missing.

FAQ

Is "each and every" grammatically incorrect?

No-it's not ungrammatical, but it's usually redundant. Style guides favor using one word unless emphasis is intended.

When should I keep "each and every" in formal writing?

Keep it for legal clauses, formal speeches, or marketing when repetition is intentional. For neutral business or academic prose, simplify.

Should I change "each and every one of you" in a friendly email?

Yes. Use friendlier, shorter options: "I appreciate all of you", "I appreciate each of you", or "you all".

Do "each" and "every" take plural verbs or singular verbs?

Both take singular verbs ("Each student is", "Every student is"). If that sounds awkward, rephrase to a plural subject ("Students are").

How can I check automatically for this mistake?

Use a grammar checker to flag redundant pairs and to catch agreement and pronoun problems after you rewrite.

Fix sentences fast

When you see "each and every" in a draft, run the three-question checklist: one-by-one? all/regular? need emphasis? Then swap to each or every and confirm agreement. If you want a quick second opinion, paste the sentence into a grammar tool for suggested rewrites and pronoun fixes.