All vs. Every

Attribute	All	Every
Definition	Refers to the whole quantity or extent of something	Refers to each individual item in a group
Usage	Used to refer to a complete set or group	Used to refer to each individual item in a group
Scope	Can be used in a broader sense	Usually used in a more specific context
Emphasis	Emphasizes the entirety of something	Emphasizes each individual part of something

Definition

Both "all" and "every" are determiners that are used to refer to the total number or amount of something. However, they are used in slightly different contexts and have different nuances in meaning.

Usage of "All"

The word "all" is used to refer to the whole quantity or extent of something. It is often used to indicate the entirety of a group or collection. For example, "All the students in the class passed the exam." In this sentence, "all" is used to refer to every single student in the class.

Another common usage of "all" is to emphasize the completeness or entirety of something. For example, "I ate all the cookies in the jar." In this sentence, "all" emphasizes that every single cookie in the jar was eaten.

Additionally, "all" can be used to mean "any" or "every." For example, "All you need is love." In this sentence, "all" is used to mean that love is the only thing you need.

Usage of "Every"

The word "every" is used to refer to each individual member of a group or collection. It is often used to emphasize the individuality or specificity of each item in the group. For example, "Every student in the class received a certificate." In this sentence, "every" emphasizes that each student received a certificate.

Unlike "all," "every" is used to refer to each individual item separately rather than the entire group collectively. For example, "Every flower in the garden was in full bloom." In this sentence, "every" emphasizes that each flower was in full bloom.

Additionally, "every" is often used with singular nouns to indicate that something applies to each individual item in a group. For example, "Every child needs love and care." In this sentence, "every" is used to emphasize that each child needs love and care.

Comparison

While both "all" and "every" are used to refer to the total number or amount of something, they have different nuances in meaning and usage. "All" is used to refer to the entirety or completeness of a group, while "every" is used to refer to each individual item in a group.

One key difference between "all" and "every" is that "all" is often used to refer to a collective group as a whole, while "every" is used to emphasize the individuality or specificity of each item in the group.

Another difference is that "all" can be used to mean "any" or "every," while "every" is specifically used to refer to each individual item separately.

Examples

Here are some examples to illustrate the difference between "all" and "every":

• "All the apples in the basket are ripe." (referring to the entirety of the apples)
• "Every apple in the basket is ripe." (emphasizing the ripeness of each individual apple)
• "All the students in the class passed the exam." (referring to the entire group of students)
• "Every student in the class received a certificate." (emphasizing that each student received a certificate)
• "I ate all the cookies in the jar." (emphasizing the completeness of eating all the cookies)
• "Every cookie in the jar was delicious." (emphasizing the deliciousness of each individual cookie)

Conclusion

In conclusion, while "all" and "every" are both determiners used to refer to the total number or amount of something, they have distinct differences in meaning and usage. "All" is used to refer to the entirety or completeness of a group, while "every" is used to emphasize the individuality or specificity of each item in the group.

Understanding the nuances of "all" and "every" can help you use these determiners correctly in your writing and communication, ensuring that you convey your intended meaning accurately and effectively.