All or every?

The meaning of all and every is very similar but we use them in different ways. We use all with plural and uncountable nouns and every with singular nouns:

All donations will be sent to the earthquake relief fund.

All equipment must be returned by the end of June. (uncountable)

Every donation is appreciated.

We can use all and all of before determiners, but we don’t use every before determiners:

I invited all (of) my friends.

Not: … every my friends

We can use all and all of before articles (the, a/an), demonstratives (this, that) and possessives (our, his) but we can’t use every before them:

[talking about a library]

It has got all (of) the books that have ever been published.

Not: It has got every the book or It has got the every book

She’s gone to all (of) their concerts this year. She hasn’t missed one.

Not: … every their concerts

We use all day, all week, all month to mean ‘one entire day/week/month’:

We spent all day at the beach yesterday.

Every day (week/month) focuses on each individual day (week/month):

We spent every day at the beach in the holidays.

Not: We spent all days at the beach

Fuel prices are rising every week.

Not: Fuel prices are rising all weeks.

• We don’t use every before determiners:

He sold all (of) his books.

Not: … every his books.

• We don’t use every with uncountable nouns:

All (the) information can be saved in the computer memory.

Not: Every information can be saved …

• We don’t use every with plural nouns:

We should organise a trip for all students.

Not: … for every students

• We don’t use every on its own without a noun; we use everyone, everybody or everything instead:

He suggested cancelling the trip and everyone agreed.

Not: … every agreed