Why “Each” Is Followed by a Singular Noun

 

Why “Each” Is Followed by a Singular Noun

“Each” is used when we talk about people or things one by one or separately. Because each focuses on individual members of a group, the noun that comes directly after each is usually singular.

Examples:

·         Each student has a notebook.

·         Each child needs a ticket.

·         Each employee has a different responsibility.

     ❌ Each students has a notebook.
     ❌ Each children needs a ticket.
     ❌ Each employees has a responsibility.

 Remember: Each + singular countable noun

Why Is the Noun Singular?

Even though each can refer to a group of people or things, it considers them individually.

For example:

Each student has a book.

This means:

Student 1 → has a book
Student 2 → has a book
Student 3 → has a book

We are thinking about the students one at a time, so we use student, not students.

What About the Verb?

Because the noun after each is singular, we also normally use a singular verb.

Examples:

ü  Each student is ready.

ü  Each room has a window.

ü  Each employee works hard.

❌ Each student are ready.
❌ Each student have a pencil.
❌ Each room have a window.

 

What About “Each of”?

When we use each of, the noun after of becomes plural.

Examples:

·         Each of the students has a book.

·         Each of the children is wearing a uniform.

·         Each of my friends lives in a different city.

Notice the difference:

👉 Each + singular noun = Each student has a book.

👉 Each of + plural noun = Each of the students has a book.

Even though students is plural, the verb is still generally singular because each is the subject.

Each vs. All

Each focuses on people or things individually.

All focuses on the whole group.

Examples:

·         Each student has a different answer.

·         All students have different answers.

ü  Each + singular noun + singular verb

ü  All + plural noun + plural verb

💡 Tips:

Think of each as a “one-by-one” word.

Each student = one student at a time
Each book = one book at a time
Each house = one house at a time

So remember:

a.    Each + singular noun = Each student has...

b.    Each child needs... = Each room has...

But:

 Each of + plural noun = Each of the students has...

Even when “each” refers to a large group, it focuses on the members individually. That is why we use a singular noun after “each.”