All vs. Every
'All' and 'every' are used a lot in English. They tend to confuse learners as they talk about quantity.
What Are Their Main Differences?
'All' can be used before plural and singular nouns, but 'every' is only used before singular nouns.
Differences
Grammatical Functions
- 'All' can be:
- a determiner
- a pronoun
- an adverb
As you know, determiners are used before nouns to define them. 'All' as a determiner is used before nouns as a modifier. If we use 'all' as a pronoun it is used alone, we mean you cannot use a noun after it. Adverbs are used to define adjectives or other adverbs, we can even use them after some verbs all as an adverb follows all these rules.
I have no pens left.
His father dressed
- 'Every' can be used as:
- a determiner
- an adjective
As a determiner, 'every' is used before nouns as a modifier. As an adjective, it is used before nouns as well, but it implies a slightly different meaning.
I get him wrong
I take a shower
Verbs Agree with Nouns
- 'All':
is followed by singular uncountable nouns or plural countable nouns. As a result, the verb after the term 'all' is either a singular verb or a plural one.
- 'Every':
is followed by singular nouns. As you know, verbs agree with nouns they are used with. So, you have to use singular verbs with the word 'every.'
'Every' as an Adjective
- 'Every':
as an adjective, can either refer to a 'whole group' or it can indicate an event that is 'repeated' a lot and regularly.
I workout
Using 'Of'
- 'All':
The term 'all' can be followed by 'of' when it is used before noun phrases [determiners + nouns], or plural nouns. We can even easily use the term 'all' before noun phrases or plural nouns.
I used
He invited
- 'Every':
The term 'every' is not usually followed by noun phrases or plural nouns immediately. But there is a special structure which you can use. You can use [every + sigular noun + of + plural nouns], or [every + sigular noun + of + noun phrases].
Simillarities
What 'Every' and 'All' Mean
- 'Every' and 'all':
It has been said that the word 'every' refers to each individual in a group as a series of members, so we cannot consider it as a whole. But remember, the term 'every' as an adjective before singular nouns has the same meaning as the term 'all.' and it refers to a group as a whole.
What They Refer to
- 'Every' and 'all':
both are used to refer to people or things in general. We mean they are not used just to refer to people, or just to refer to things.
Take
They rescued
Distributives
'All' and 'every' both are distributives. It might raise the question of what distributives are. 'Distributives' are words that refer to a group as a whole or individuals in a group.
He enjoyed