Each vs. Both – Which is Correct?

Each and both are correct English words, but they express different ideas. Each refers to members individually, while both refers to two members together. Choose each for separate consideration and both for a shared action or characteristic involving two people or things. Use them according to number and intended meaning.

Each or Both – Which is Correct?

Each and both are both correct American English words, but they are not interchangeable. Each focuses on members separately, one at a time. Both refers specifically to two people or things considered together.

Use each when you want to emphasize individual members of a group. Use both when two members share an action, quality, or situation. The main difference is therefore individual focus versus combined focus.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

Use the “one by one” test for each: if you could replace the word with “every one separately,” choose each. Use the “two together” test for both: if you are referring to exactly two people or things as a pair, choose both.

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Each	Determiner or pronoun	Every person or thing considered individually	Each student received a certificate.
Both	Determiner, pronoun, or conjunction	The two people or things considered together	Both students received certificates.

How to Use Each

Each identifies every member of a group separately. It can appear before a singular noun, after a plural subject, or independently as a pronoun. Although it refers to multiple people or things, each usually takes a singular noun and a singular verb when it directly controls the subject.

For example, “Each employee has an access card” is correct because each treats employees individually. In formal writing, this singular construction is especially common, although placement can affect the verb: “The employees each have an access card” uses the plural subject employees and the plural verb have.

Example 1: Each guest received a printed invitation.

Example 2: The two teams each submitted a proposal.

Example 3: Each of the answers is worth two points.

Etymology of the word Each

Each comes from Old English ǣlc, meaning “every one” or “each one.” It developed from older Germanic elements associated with the idea of individual members within a group. The word has retained this basic meaning for centuries.

How to Use Both

Both refers to two people or things together. It can come before a plural noun, function as a pronoun, or appear in the paired structure both … and. Unlike each, it always concerns exactly two members, not three or more.

Use both when the members share an action or quality: “Both candidates agreed” presents the candidates as a pair. When both is the subject, it normally takes a plural verb because it refers to two people or things.

Example 1: Both children enjoyed the science experiment.

Example 2: Both of the proposed solutions are practical.

Example 3: She is both creative and highly organized.

What are the different forms of Both?

Both does not change form for singular or plural nouns. It is used with two people or things: both books, both answers, or both of them. The related negative expression is neither, which means “not one and not the other.”

The most common structures are both + plural noun, both of + determiner or pronoun, and both … and. For example: “Both cars are reliable,” “Both of the cars are reliable,” and “Both the manager and the assistant attended.”

Etymology of the word Both

Both comes from Old Norse báðir, meaning “the two” or “both.” It entered English through contact between Norse and English speakers and has continued to refer specifically to two people or things considered together.

Related Concepts

Understanding number, agreement, and distributive meaning makes the distinction between each and both much clearer.

• Distributive determiners: Words such as each distribute an action or quality across individual members of a group. They emphasize members separately rather than as a unit.
• Plural agreement: Both normally takes a plural noun and plural verb because it refers to two members together. For example, “Both options are available” is correct.
• Singular agreement: When each directly precedes a noun or subject phrase, it usually takes a singular noun and verb: “Each option is available.”
• Correlative conjunctions: The pattern both … and connects two equal grammatical elements, as in “both accurate and concise.”

Examples from Media and Literature

The distinction between each and both appears regularly in storytelling, journalism, and everyday media language.

• Novel narration: A writer may say, “Each traveler carried a separate map,” to describe the travelers individually.
• Film reviews: A review might state, “Both lead actors deliver convincing performances,” referring to two actors as a pair.
• News reporting: A report may explain, “Each witness gave a statement,” emphasizing that witnesses spoke separately.
• Sports coverage: A commentator might say, “Both teams played aggressively,” describing the two teams together.
• Instructional writing: A guide may say, “Check each connection before turning on the device,” directing the reader to inspect connections one by one.

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete each sentence.

1. Each / Both of the two applicants submitted a résumé.
2. The twins each / both received a scholarship.
3. Each / Both machine in the factory requires regular maintenance.
4. Each / Both the director and the producer attended the premiere.
5. The two explanations are each / both reasonable.

Answer Key

1. Each — The applicants are considered individually.
2. both — The two twins are being considered together.
3. Each — The sentence refers to machines one at a time.
4. Both — The paired structure is “both … and.”
5. both — The two explanations share the quality of being reasonable.

Each Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Every	All members of a group considered individually or collectively.
Every one	Each individual member of a specified group.
Per person	For or involving each individual person.

Both Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
The two	The two people or things being discussed.
The pair	Two people or things considered as a unit.
Together	With or involving two people or things as a group.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Is “each” singular or plural?
Each generally takes a singular noun and singular verb when it directly controls the subject: “Each student is ready.” However, a plural subject can take a plural verb when each appears after it: “The students each have a book.”

Question 2: Can “both” refer to more than two things?
No. Both refers specifically to two people or things. For three or more, use words such as all, every, or each, depending on the intended meaning.

Question 3: Is “each of both” correct?
Usually, no. The standard expressions are each of the two options or both of the options. Choose each for individual consideration and both for the two options together.

Question 4: What is the difference between “each” and “every”?
Both can refer to members individually, but each often emphasizes separate members, while every usually presents the group as a complete series. Each participant received feedback highlights individuals; Every participant received feedback emphasizes the whole group.

Conclusion

Each and both are both correct, but they serve different purposes. Use each for members considered separately and both for exactly two members considered together. Pro Tip: Choosing the precise word in professional writing improves clarity and demonstrates careful control of English grammar.