If you have ever paused mid-sentence wondering whether to write “each is” or “each are,” you are not alone. This small grammar question trips up native speakers, ESL learners, and even professional writers. The good news is that the rule is simple once you understand what “each” actually means in a sentence.
In this guide, you will learn the correct usage of “each,” why “each is” is the grammatically accurate choice, when people mistakenly use “each are,” and how to apply this rule confidently in both formal writing and everyday conversation.
Each is or Each Are Sentences
Before diving into the rules, look at a few side-by-side examples to see the difference in action.
| Sentence | Correct? | Why |
| Each student is responsible for their homework. | Yes | “Each” is singular, so it takes “is.” |
| Each student are responsible for their homework. | No | “Are” incorrectly matches a plural idea. |
| Each of the answers is correct. | Yes | “Each” controls the verb, not “answers.” |
| Each of the answers are correct. | No | Common mistake caused by proximity to “answers.” |
| Each of us has a role to play. | Yes | “Each” stays singular even with “us.” |
As you can see, “each” almost always pairs with a singular verb, regardless of what comes after it in the sentence.
Understanding What “Each” Really Means in American English
“Each” is a distributive word. That means it looks at members of a group one at a time instead of treating them as a single plural unit. When you say “each,” you are mentally separating a group into individual pieces, even though the group itself may contain many people or things.
Key points
- “Each” can function as a determiner (each book), a pronoun (each of them), or part of a phrase (each one).
- It always refers to individuals within a group, never the group as a whole.
- Because it focuses on one item at a time, it behaves grammatically like a singular noun.
- It is closely related to other singular indefinite pronouns such as everyone, everybody, and anyone.
Mini Example
Imagine five runners crossing a finish line. Instead of saying “the runners are tired,” you might say:
“Each runner is exhausted after the race.”
You are not describing the group as a whole. You are describing every single runner, one by one, which is why the singular verb “is” fits naturally.
Why “Each Is” Is Grammatically Correct
The core reason “each is” works is subject-verb agreement. In English, the verb must match the grammatical number of its subject, not the number of any noun that happens to sit nearby. Since “each” is treated as singular by definition, the verb that follows it must also be singular, such as is, has, does, or was.
This holds true even when “each” is followed by a plural noun phrase, like “each of the players” or “each of the reports.” The word “each” remains the true subject of the sentence, and the plural noun after “of” is simply describing which group you are pulling individuals from.
Why the grammar rule is strict
Style guides and grammar authorities agree on this point because it keeps meaning precise. If “each” allowed a plural verb, it would blur the line between “each” (one at a time) and “all” (as a group), which are meant to express different ideas. Keeping the rule strict avoids that confusion and preserves clarity in formal writing, legal documents, academic papers, and professional communication.
Why “Each Are” Sounds Wrong in Standard English
Even though “each are” is considered incorrect in standard grammar, it still shows up often in casual speech. The mistake almost always happens because of proximity: the ear picks up on a plural noun sitting close to the verb and assumes the verb should match that noun instead of “each.”
Why do people make this mistake?
- The sentence contains a plural noun right before the verb, like “each of the players are.”
- Speakers subconsciously match the verb to the nearest noun rather than the true subject.
- Casual conversation is more forgiving of small grammar slips than formal writing.
- Some speakers confuse “each” with “all,” “both,” or “many,” which do take plural verbs.
Example
Incorrect: Each of the employees are required to attend training. Correct: Each of the employees is required to attend training.
Even though “employees” is plural, “each” is still the subject controlling the verb.
“Each” with Singular and Plural Nouns
“Each” can appear in a few different sentence patterns, and understanding them helps you avoid mistakes in longer or more complex sentences.
Pattern 1: Each + Singular Noun
In this pattern, “each” acts like an adjective in front of a singular countable noun.
- Each child receives a gift.
- Each employee has a badge.
- Each answer is graded separately.
Pattern 2: Each of + Plural Noun
Here, “each” is followed by “of” and a plural noun, but the verb still agrees with “each.”
- Each of the boxes is labeled.
- Each of the students has submitted the form.
- Each of the cars was inspected before delivery.
Why do these take singular verbs?
In both patterns, “each” is the grammatical subject. The plural noun after “of” only tells you the source group. It never becomes the subject of the verb, so the singular agreement rule stays consistent across both structures.
“Each Of”: Singular or Plural?
Many people assume that adding “of” before a plural noun changes the verb, but it does not. “Each of” is one of the most common places writers slip up, so it deserves special attention.
Why does “each of” still need a singular verb?
The phrase “each of” simply narrows down which individuals you are talking about within a larger set. The verb continues to agree with “each,” not with the plural noun that follows “of.”
Examples with correct verbs
- Each of the reports is due on Friday.
- Each of the winners was interviewed after the ceremony.
- Each of the options has its own advantages.
What about pronouns?
Pronouns that follow “each” or refer back to it should also stay singular in strict formal grammar, such as its instead of their. However, many modern style guides now accept the singular “they” for gender-neutral writing, which is covered later in this article.
Using “Each” with Collective and Group Nouns
Collective nouns, such as team, staff, or committee, describe a group as a single unit. When “each” is placed before or in relation to a collective noun, the singular rule still applies.
- Each team is competing for the championship.
- Each department has its own budget.
- Each committee member is expected to vote.
Why not plural?
Even though a “team” or “committee” contains many people, “each” shifts the focus to one team, one department, or one committee at a time. The grammar follows that individual focus rather than the size of the group.
Advanced example
“Each of the committees has submitted its recommendations, even though every committee includes several members.”
Notice how “each” and “committees” work together without breaking the singular verb rule.
Each is or Each Are Plural
Technically, “each” is never plural in standard grammar. There is no correct construction where “each” directly takes a plural verb like “are,” “have,” or “were” when it functions as the subject. Any sentence using “each are” as the main subject-verb pair is considered a grammar mistake in formal English, no matter how common it may sound in casual speech.
Informal Speech vs Formal Writing
In relaxed conversation, people sometimes bend grammar rules for convenience or rhythm. You might hear “each are” slip out in fast speech, especially in regional dialects or informal settings. While this is generally understood and rarely causes confusion in spoken English, it is still considered nonstandard.
But in writing?
Formal writing has less tolerance for this kind of flexibility. Academic papers, business emails, resumes, and published articles are expected to follow standard subject-verb agreement rules closely. Using “each are” in a report or essay can come across as a careless error to readers and editors.
Practical rule
If you are speaking casually with friends, small slips rarely matter. If you are writing anything that will be read, graded, published, or reviewed professionally, always default to “each is.”
American vs British Tendencies
Both American and British English follow the same core rule: “each” takes a singular verb. However, British English is slightly more flexible with collective nouns overall, sometimes allowing plural verbs with group nouns like “team” or “staff” when the group members act as individuals. Even so, this flexibility rarely extends to “each” itself. In both dialects, “each is” remains the standard, correct choice.
“Each” with Pronouns and Modern Language
One area where usage has genuinely evolved is pronoun agreement after “each.” Traditional grammar calls for singular pronouns like “his,” “her,” or “its,” but modern English increasingly favors the singular “they” for inclusivity and gender neutrality.
Why this works
Style guides, including major dictionaries and journalism manuals, now recognize singular “they” as grammatically acceptable, especially when the gender of the individual is unknown or irrelevant. This shift affects the pronoun, not the verb. “Each” still takes “is,” even when followed by “they.”
Examples
- Each student should bring their own laptop.
- Each employee is responsible for updating their records.
- Each guest is asked to confirm their attendance.
Relative Clauses with “Each”
Sentences that include relative clauses, such as “who” or “whom,” can make the correct verb harder to spot.
Common structures
- Each of the candidates, who is currently employed, will be interviewed.
- Each person who applies is reviewed individually.
Key rule
Identify the true subject of each clause separately. The relative clause has its own subject and verb, and it does not change the agreement rule for “each” in the main clause.
When to use “whom”
Use “whom” when the pronoun functions as the object of the clause, such as “each of the applicants, whom we interviewed, was qualified.”
When to use “who”
Use “who” when the pronoun functions as the subject of the clause, such as “each employee who works overtime is compensated fairly.”
Real Examples from Literature and Media
Published writing consistently favors “each is” in formal contexts. News articles, novels, and academic texts almost always pair “each” with a singular verb, reinforcing that this is the accepted standard across genres. You will notice patterns like “each character is developed carefully” or “each chapter is structured around a single theme” throughout well-edited published work, confirming that professional editors treat this rule as non-negotiable.
READ MORE: Nighttime vs. Night Time: Meaning, Differences & Correct Usage
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Mistake 1: Matching the verb to the plural noun
Writers often match the verb to the noun closest to it instead of the true subject. Always trace the sentence back to “each” before choosing the verb.
Mistake 2: Thinking “each” and “all” follow the same rules
“All” often takes a plural verb because it treats the group collectively. “Each” does not work the same way, since it isolates individuals.
Mistake 3: Overthinking long sentences
In longer sentences with multiple clauses, it is easy to lose track of the subject. Slow down and identify exactly which word “each” is modifying.
Mistake 4: Using plural verbs because it “sounds natural” in speech
Spoken habits do not always reflect correct written grammar. What sounds natural in conversation may still be incorrect on the page.
Mistake 5: Confusion with “every,” “any,” and “either”
These words also take singular verbs, but they are not interchangeable in meaning with “each.” Learning their subtle differences helps prevent mixing up usage across sentences.
Quick Reference: When to Use “Each Is”
| Situation | Correct Form |
| Each + singular noun | Each book is on the shelf. |
| Each of + plural noun | Each of the books is on the shelf. |
| Each + collective noun | Each team is ready. |
| Each with pronoun | Each of them is prepared. |
| Formal writing | Always use “each is.” |
| Casual speech | “Each are” may appear but is not standard. |
Conclusion
The rule behind “each is or each are” comes down to one simple idea: “each” is always singular, no matter what noun follows it. Whether you are writing “each student is,” “each of the reports is,” or “each team is,” the verb should always agree with “each,” not with any plural noun nearby.
Keeping this rule in mind will help you write with more confidence and accuracy, especially in formal writing where correct subject-verb agreement matters most. Once this pattern becomes second nature, you will never second-guess “each is” versus “each are” again.
