How to use "each" or "every" correctly?

The meanings of 'each' and 'every' are very similar. Often you could use either word, but there are also cases where there are differences. Let's take a closer look at the two words to learn how to use them.

If we say:

"Each rock is balanced perfectly."

"Every rock is balanced perfectly."

Both sentences are correct.

However, in some cases there is a difference between the meanings.

We use 'each' when we think of the single items in a group, one by one:

"They gave a trophy to each member of the winning team."

We use 'every' when we think of the items in a group together:

"I believed every word that he said."

'Each' can refer to two items, while 'every' cannot:

"She kissed him on each cheek."

We can use 'each of' but we cannot use 'every of':

"When the students won the competition, each of them was given a prize."

'Each' can be used after the subject, or at the end of a sentence:

"The researchers each received an award."

"The researchers received an award each."

Repeated actions are generally described with 'every':

"I play the guitar every day."