each

'Each' is a distributive determiner that focuses on the individual components of a group. Unlike 'all', which groups everything together as a collective unit, 'each' directs the listener's attention to the specific members one by one. It is a fundamental word for precision in English, allowing speakers to clarify that an action or quality applies to every single entity involved.

'Each' is typically followed by a singular countable noun. For example, we say 'each student' rather than 'each students'. When 'each' acts as the subject, it takes a singular verb form. For instance, 'Each of the participants has a badge.' You can also use 'each' after a plural noun or pronoun, such as 'The students each received a prize,' which emphasizes that the action happened to every member of the group individually.

This word appears frequently in instructions, formal agreements, and daily observations. In a classroom, a teacher might say, 'Each student must complete the assignment.' In a business setting, it is used to denote individual responsibility, such as 'Each department head is responsible for their own budget.' It is also common when discussing prices or quantities, like 'Each apple costs fifty cents.'