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Everyone vs every one
Everyone, one word, means every person; every one, two words, means each single one of something already mentioned.
Quick rule
Writing about people? Everyone. Pointing back at a group, or before of? Every one.
Every person in a group. One word, with a singular verb; it means the same as everybody.
Each single one of something already mentioned, written as two words: I kept every one. Before of, always two words: every one of them.
Why it trips people up
The two forms sound almost the same, and many writers join or split them by guesswork. Everyone is a pronoun for people. Every one is two words because every modifies one, which stands for a noun already mentioned.
How they sound
The one-word form has a single stress at the start. The two-word form adds a second stress on one, and you hear a short break.
- everyone/ˈevriwʌn/
- every one/ˌevri ˈwʌn/
How each one works
Everyone
Everybody, with a singular verb
Everyone is here, so we can start.
People in general
Everyone loves a good story.
All the people present
Did everyone get a copy of the schedule?
Every one
every one of + determiner
She read every one of his letters.
Points back to something said: coats
I tried on four coats, and every one was too big.
Each of the twelve
The bakery sells twelve kinds of bread, and I have tried every one.
What comes next
everyone plus singular verb
Everyone has a ticket.
every one plus of plus determiner or pronoun
He knows every one of her songs.
Common mistakes
Wrong: Everyone of them is a winner.
Right: Every one of them is a winner.
Before of, Cambridge writes two words: every one of them.
Wrong: Twenty years ago every one used an alarm clock.
Right: Twenty years ago everyone used an alarm clock.
For every person, Cambridge writes one word: everyone.
Memory trick
Swap in everybody. If it fits without changing the meaning, write everyone. If not, or if "of" follows, write two words: every one.
It depends
- Singular verb, plural pronoun
- Everyone takes a singular verb, but Cambridge shows it with themselves: Everyone enjoyed themselves.
- Everybody as a test
- Swap in everybody. If it fits, write everyone; every one of them cannot become everybody of them.
FAQ
Everyone vs every one: what is the difference?
Everyone means every person. Every one refers back to a noun already mentioned and often takes of.
Everyone or every one of you?
Before of, write two words: every one of you. Otherwise, for people in general, write everyone.
Everyone vs everybody?
They mean the same thing. Use the swap test to check whether to write one word or two.