Confusing Words > all and every

Confusing Words > all and every


ALL AND EVERY
All and every can both be used to talk about people or things in general. There is little difference of meaning. Note that these two words are used in different structures.

Every is used with singular countable nouns. To give the same meaning, all is used with plural nouns.

Compare:

Every house in the street is yellow.
All the houses in the street are yellow.

Examples:

Every summer we have a holiday at the sea.

Every country has a national flag.

Every question has an answer.

They watch TV every evening.

I have invited every friend I have.

Steve’s job is very boring. Every day is the same.

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It rained all day yesterday.

All children need love.

I was tired yesterday and watched TV all evening.

All of us are going to John's party next week.

I am not going out tonight. I’ll be at home all evening.



With Uncountable Nouns

We can use all with uncountable nouns. Every cannot be used with them.

I like all music. (not …every music.)
I like all food.