Each to Their Own vs. To Each Their Own – Which is Correct?

“To each their own” is the standard and most widely used expression for saying that people have different tastes or preferences. “Each to their own” is understandable and can be valid, but it is less common and may sound clipped or stylistically marked. Prefer “to each their own” in writing.

Each to Their Own or To Each Their Own – Which Is Correct?

Both expressions can communicate the idea that everyone has individual preferences, but “to each their own” is the established and more natural wording in contemporary American English. It is a gender-inclusive adaptation of the traditional expression “to each his own.”

“Each to their own” is not necessarily a spelling or grammar error. It is an inverted, shortened version that may appear in casual conversation, commentary, or creative writing. However, many readers find it less familiar because the conventional structure places to each at the beginning.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

Remember the direction of the phrase: first give something to each person, and then identify what belongs to their own preferences. The pattern is therefore to each + their own. If you would naturally say “to each person,” choose “to each their own.”

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
to each their own	Fixed phrase	Everyone has individual preferences.	You prefer tea, and I prefer coffee—to each their own.
each to their own	Fixed phrase	An less common variation expressing the same general idea.	Each to their own, but I would rather walk than drive.

How to Use To Each Their Own

“To each their own” is used to acknowledge that people are entitled to different tastes, opinions, habits, or choices. It often follows a statement about a preference and means something like “everyone has the right to choose what suits them.” The phrase is generally casual or neutral in tone.

Although it can be polite and tolerant, the expression may occasionally sound dismissive. The speaker’s tone and context determine whether it communicates genuine acceptance or mild disapproval.

Example 1: I would never choose such a bright color for my kitchen, but to each their own.

Example 2: Some people enjoy working early in the morning, while others are more productive at night—to each their own.

Example 3: To each their own, but I think the original version of the song is better.

Etymology of the Phrase To Each Their Own

“To each their own” developed as a gender-inclusive version of the older expression “to each his own.” The earlier wording reflects the traditional use of masculine pronouns as generic terms. As singular they became widely accepted for referring to a person without specifying gender, their replaced his in many modern versions.

Because their can be confused with other forms, compare There vs. Their vs. They’re when checking pronoun usage.

The underlying idea is much older: each person receives or prefers what belongs to them. The phrase is also related to the Latin principle suum cuique, commonly translated as “to each their own” or “to each his own.”

How to Use Each to Their Own

“Each to their own” can express the same general sentiment as “to each their own,” but it is less conventional. It often sounds like an abbreviated or inverted construction, similar to saying “each person has their own preference.” It may work in informal speech, dialogue, humorous writing, or a deliberately conversational style.

Because the wording is less familiar, it can momentarily slow the reader. In professional, academic, or polished general writing, “to each their own” is usually the safer choice.

Example 1: Each to their own, but I find the quieter restaurant more relaxing.

Example 2: The group could not agree on the best design—each to their own, I suppose.

Example 3: Each to their own when it comes to hobbies; some people collect stamps, and others collect records.

Etymology of the Phrase Each to Their Own

“Each to their own” appears to be an inversion of “to each their own,” rather than an entirely separate idiom with a different origin. It retains the same elements: each refers to individual people, their is a gender-neutral possessive pronoun, and own emphasizes personal ownership or preference.

Related Concepts

Understanding idioms, pronoun agreement, and sentence structure helps explain why one version sounds more natural than the other.

• Fixed phrase: A fixed phrase is a group of words commonly used in a particular order. “To each their own” is more established in this order than “each to their own.”
• Singular they: Singular they and their can refer to one person when the person’s gender is unknown, irrelevant, or intentionally unspecified.
• Ellipsis: Ellipsis occurs when words are left out because their meaning is understood from context. “Each to their own” may sound abbreviated because part of the implied meaning is omitted.
• Idiomatic language: An idiom is an expression whose conventional meaning may be broader than the literal meanings of its individual words.

Examples from Media and Literature

The expression and its older forms appear in discussions of personal taste across fiction, film, journalism, and everyday commentary.

• Literary dialogue: A character who dislikes another character’s unusual hobby might say, “To each their own,” to acknowledge the person’s freedom to enjoy it.
• Film reviews: A reviewer may use “to each their own” after noting that viewers disagree about a movie’s ending, music, or acting style.
• News commentary: An article about competing lifestyle choices may use the phrase to emphasize that consumers value different products or routines.
• Social media discussions: People often write “to each their own” when responding to disagreements about food, fashion, entertainment, or travel.
• Traditional sayings: Older books and dialogue frequently use “to each his own,” the traditional form from which the gender-neutral version developed.

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct phrase to complete each sentence. In some cases, both versions may be understandable, but choose the more standard expression.

1. You like camping, and I prefer hotels—________.
2. Some people enjoy spicy food, while others do not; ________.
3. ________, but I would never wear that style of jacket.
4. The two designers had completely different visions, and ________ seemed satisfied with their own approach.
5. For polished business writing, ________ is generally the preferred wording.

Answer Key

1. to each their own
2. to each their own
3. To each their own
4. each to their own
5. to each their own

To Each Their Own Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Everyone has their own taste.	People naturally have different preferences.
Different strokes for different folks.	Different people enjoy or respond to different things.
Whatever works for you.	You may choose the option that suits you.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion.	People have the right to hold different views.

Each to Their Own Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
To each their own.	The standard expression meaning that personal preferences differ.
It is a matter of preference.	The choice depends on individual taste.
Everyone has their own way.	People approach activities or decisions differently.
Live and let live.	Allow others to make their own choices without interference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Is “each to their own” grammatically correct?
It can be understood and used as an informal variation, but it is less common than “to each their own.” In formal or carefully edited writing, “to each their own” is usually the better choice.

Question 2: Is “to each their own” gender-neutral?
Yes. It uses singular their instead of the traditional masculine pronoun in “to each his own.” This makes the expression suitable when a person’s gender is unknown, irrelevant, or unspecified.

Question 3: Is “to each his own” still correct?
Yes, “to each his own” is the traditional form and remains recognizable. However, “to each their own” is often preferred in modern writing because it avoids using a masculine pronoun as a supposed generic reference.

Conclusion

Both “each to their own” and “to each their own” can express the idea that people have different tastes, but “to each their own” is the standard, more familiar, and generally preferable form. Use “each to their own” only when an informal or deliberately unusual style suits the context. Pro tip: Choosing the established expression in professional writing helps your message sound polished and protects your credibility.