Each Is or Each Are: The Complete Grammar Guide You Need 📘✨
If you’ve ever wondered whether to say “Each is or each are”, you are not alone. This is one of the most confusing grammar questions in English because the word “each” feels plural, but the verb agreement rules tell a different story.
Many learners and even native speakers pause when writing sentences like “Each of the students is/are ready”. The confusion comes from mixing singular grammar rules with plural thinking, which leads to mistakes in emails, exams, and professional writing.
English grammar can be tricky because it often combines logic with traditional rules. While your brain may think of multiple people or things, grammar treats “each” as a singular idea. That is exactly where the misunderstanding starts.
In this article, we will break everything down in a simple, clear, and practical way so you never get confused again. You will learn the rule, see real examples, understand common mistakes, and even practice usage like a grammar expert. Let’s make this crystal clear once and for all! 🚀
Quick Answer: Each Is or Each Are?
The correct form is: ✔ “Each is” (singular verb)
👉 “Each” is always treated as singular, even when it refers to multiple items or people.
So we use “is,” “was,” “has,” and other singular verbs, not plural ones like “are” or “were.”
Examples:
- Each student is responsible for homework. ✔
- Each of the players is ready. ✔
- Each book is on the shelf. ✔
❌ Incorrect: Each student are ready.
✔ Correct: Each student is ready.
Understanding the Basics: Each Is vs Each Are
To fully understand this rule, we need to break it down into simple grammar logic.
What does “Each” mean?
The word “each” refers to individual items or people one by one. Even if there are many items, the focus is on one at a time, not the group as a whole.
👉 That is why it is grammatically singular.
Grammar Rule
- “Each” = Singular subject
- Singular subject = Singular verb (is, was, has)
Comparison Table
| Form | Type | Meaning | Example | Correct/Incorrect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Each is | Singular | Refers to individual items | Each student is smart | ✔ Correct |
| Each are | Plural (wrong) | Treats “each” as group | Each student are smart | ❌ Incorrect |
| Each was | Singular past | Past singular action | Each player was ready | ✔ Correct |
| Each were | Plural (wrong) | Incorrect plural usage | Each player were ready | ❌ Incorrect |
Correct Meanings & Uses of “Each”
1. “Each” as a Subject
When “each” is the subject, it always takes a singular verb.
✔ Each is responsible for their actions.
✔ Each has a unique talent.
👉 Even though “their” may appear later for gender neutrality, the verb remains singular.
2. “Each of + plural noun”
This is where most confusion happens.
✔ Each of the students is present.
✔ Each of the books is new.
Even though “students” and “books” are plural, the subject is still “each”, so the verb is singular.
3. “Each” in Mid-Sentence
✔ The players each have a role to play.
✔ The teachers each receive training.
👉 Here, “each” does NOT control the verb. The main subject does.
Test Tip 🧠
If you can replace “each” with “every one,” the verb is always singular.
- Each student is = Every one of the students is ✔
Case Study: Real-Life Usage Example 📧
Workplace Email Example
❌ Incorrect:
Each of the employees are required to submit their report by Friday.
✔ Correct:
Each of the employees is required to submit their report by Friday.
Why this matters:
In professional communication, grammatical mistakes can:
- Reduce credibility
- Create confusion
- Look unprofessional
Even small corrections improve clarity and authority.
Grammar Rules Explanation
Why “Each is” is correct
According to standard grammar references (including widely accepted English usage guides like Merriam-Webster style explanations), “each” is grammatically singular.
Even when referring to many items:
- The focus is individuality, not group action.
Why “Each are” is incorrect
“Are” is a plural verb, used for:
- They are
- The students are
- The books are
But “each” does not function as a plural subject.
👉 So pairing “each” with “are” breaks subject-verb agreement rules.
Common Mistakes Section ⚠️
Why people get confused
Most errors happen due to:
- ⚡ Fast typing without thinking
- 🤖 Autocorrect suggestions
- 📚 Lack of grammar awareness
- 🧠 Thinking in plural form instead of singular logic
Similar Grammar Confusions Table
| Confusing Pair | Correct Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Each is / are | Each is ✔ | Each student is here |
| Everyone is / are | Everyone is ✔ | Everyone is ready |
| Either is / are | Either is ✔ | Either option is fine |
| Neither is / are | Neither is ✔ | Neither answer is correct |
| Team is / are | Depends (US vs UK usage) | The team is winning |
Usage in Different Contexts
1. Everyday Conversation 🗣
- Each of us is going to the park.
- Each person is welcome.
2. Professional Writing 💼
- Each employee is required to attend training.
- Each report is reviewed carefully.
3. Creative Writing ✍️
- Each star is a story waiting to be told.
- Each moment is a memory in the making.
4. Social Media / Texting 📱
- Each pic is better than the last 😍
- Each vibe is different today ✨
Why It Matters
Correct grammar is not just about rules—it’s about clarity, confidence, and credibility.
Key reasons:
- Improves communication clarity
- Enhances professional impression
- Builds trust in writing
- Helps in exams and academic success
“Good grammar is the foundation of clear thinking.”
A small rule like “each is” can significantly impact how your writing is perceived.
Special Exception Section
There is no exception where “each are” is correct in standard English grammar.
However, in informal speech or dialects, people may sometimes say it incorrectly, but it is still not grammatically accepted in formal writing.
Quick Recap Checklist ✅
| Question | If Yes → Use |
|---|---|
| Is “each” the subject? | Use is / was |
| Is it “each of + noun”? | Use is / was |
| Is verb plural like “are”? | ❌ Avoid |
Practice Examples:
- Each of the cakes ___ delicious. (is)
- Each player ___ ready. (is)
- Each of the phones ___ new. (is)
FAQs: Each Is or Each Are❓
Is it correct to say “each are”?
No, it is incorrect. “Each” is always singular, so it should be “each is.”
Why do people say “each are”?
Because they think of multiple items, but grammar treats “each” as individual, not plural.
Is “each of them is” correct?
Yes, “each of them is” is correct because “each” is still singular.
Can “each” ever take a plural verb?
No, in standard English grammar, it never takes a plural verb like “are.”
What is the difference between “each” and “every”?
Both are singular, but:
- Each = individual focus
- Every = general group focus
Which is more formal: each is or each are?
“Each is” is correct and formal. “Each are” is incorrect.
Conclusion 📌
The confusion between “each is or each are” is very common, but the rule is actually simple once you understand it. The word “each” is always singular, which means it always takes singular verbs like is, was, has, and never plural verbs like are.
Even when “each” refers to many people or things, English grammar treats them individually, not as a group. That is why sentences like “each student is ready” are correct, while “each student are ready” is incorrect.
By mastering this small but powerful rule, you improve your grammar accuracy, writing clarity, and professional communication skills.
Remember this simple rule forever:
👉 Each = One at a time = Singular verb (is)
Once you apply this consistently, your English writing instantly becomes more polished, confident, and correct. 🚀
Also read: Expiry vs Expiration
Hi, I’m Dexter Rhodes. At gramzio.com, I apply my 10 years of experience in copy-editing to ensure every guide we publish is accurate, professional, and follows the highest editorial standards.
