Every vs. Every Single

Attribute	Every	Every Single
Definition	Refers to all members of a group or category	Emphasizes each individual member of a group or category
Usage	Used to talk about a general truth or statement	Used to emphasize each individual item or person
Examples	Every student must pass the exam	Every single student in the class passed the exam

Definition

Every and every single are both determiners that are used to refer to all the individual members of a group or collection. However, there is a subtle difference in their usage. Every is used to refer to all the members of a group collectively, while every single emphasizes each individual member separately.

Usage

Every is a more common and general term that is used in various contexts. It is often used to talk about things that are true or applicable in all cases. For example, "Every student must pass the exam to graduate." On the other hand, every single is used when you want to emphasize the individuality of each member of a group. For example, "I checked every single item on the list."

Emphasis

One of the key differences between every and every single is the level of emphasis they place on individual items. Every is more about the group as a whole, while every single focuses on each item separately. This can be seen in sentences like "Every student passed the test" versus "I spoke to every single student individually."

Specificity

Every single is often used when you want to be more specific or detailed in your description. It implies a thoroughness or completeness in the action being described. For example, "I read every single page of the book" indicates that no page was skipped. On the other hand, using every in this context might not convey the same level of detail or thoroughness.

Intensifier

Every single can also be used as an intensifier to emphasize the importance or significance of each individual item. It adds a sense of emphasis or importance to the statement. For example, "I appreciate every single one of your efforts" conveys a stronger sense of gratitude than simply saying "I appreciate every one of your efforts."

Clarity

Using every single can also help to clarify or specify the exact number or quantity of items being referred to. It leaves no room for ambiguity or confusion about the extent of the action or statement. For example, "I counted every single penny in the jar" clearly indicates that each individual penny was counted.

Summary

In conclusion, while every and every single are both used to refer to all the members of a group, they differ in terms of emphasis, specificity, and intensity. Every is more general and collective, while every single is more specific and individual. The choice between the two depends on the level of detail, emphasis, and clarity you want to convey in your statement.