📂Writing

A Singular Noun Must Always Follow "Every" and "Each"

Grammar

E stands for Every or Each, and let’s denote the noun following E as N.

The N following E must be singular, and “E N” as a whole is treated as singular.

Examples

Every

“In consequence, every coupling function in an undirected graph has to be called twice, once with $x_i$ as its first and $x_j$ as its second argument and once the other way round.” ¹

• Instead of functions after every, the singular form function is used.
• The predicate of “every coupling function in an undirected graph”, which is have, changes to the third-person singular form, has.

Each

“Let us consider a multiplex network of two globally connected layers; each node in a layer is represented by a Kuramoto oscillator.” ²

• Instead of nodes after each, the singular form node is used.
• The predicate of “each node in a layer”, which is be, changes to the third-person singular form, is.

Explanation

Every refers to a group in meaning, but grammatically treats the whole group as one, so it is singular. When we say every student, we are talking about the category of students as ‘one’ group, distinguished from teachers or workers, for instance. All is actually more similar to the Korean way of thinking.

Each talks about each individual within the following noun at once, hence it also deals with a group but grammar-wise considers each individual, making it singular. Saying each student implies talking about multiple students but thinking of each individual.