One word or two
Everyone vs. Every one
Everyone (one word) is a pronoun meaning every person, the same as everybody. Every one (two words) means each single person or thing in a group and is often followed by of. Everyone came; every one of the cookies disappeared.
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| everyone | pronoun | every person in a group; everybody |
| every one | phrase | each individual person or thing, counted one at a time, often followed by of |
Everyone
pronoun: every person in a group; everybody
- Everyone in the office signed the birthday card.
- Is everyone ready to leave for the airport?
Every one
phrase: each individual person or thing, counted one at a time, often followed by of
- Every one of the plants on the balcony needs water.
- Rosa answered every one of the forty questions correctly.
How to remember the difference
If everybody fits, write everyone. If you mean each one and could follow it with of the, write every one.
Good to know
Everyone takes a singular verb (everyone is here). A following pronoun is often they (everyone brought their lunch), which many style guides now accept. The same logic applies to anyone and any one.
Spot the mistake
EveryoneEvery one of the tickets was sold by noon.Correct: Every one of the tickets was sold by noon.
Every oneEveryone in my family loves board games.Correct: Everyone in my family loves board games.
Check yourself
Pick the word that fits each sentence.
1. The teacher said that in the class passed the quiz.
Answer: everyone. You could say everybody here, so the one-word pronoun everyone fits.
2. I tasted of the six cheeses at the market.
Answer: every one. This means each single cheese, followed by of, so it is two words.