What's the Difference Between 'Every Thing' and 'Everything'?

In this blog post we look at when to use every thing and when to use everything.

'Every Thing' or 'Everything'?

"Every thing" and "everything" are both used to mean "all things," but "every thing" is less common and is not considered standard English.

"Every thing" is a noun phrase that means "all things." It is formed by combining the adjective "every" with the noun "thing."

However, "every thing" is not commonly used in modern English, and most speakers and writers prefer to use the word "everything" instead.

"Everything" is a pronoun that means "all things." It is used to refer to all the things or items in a particular place or situation.

For example: "Everything in the store is on sale." "Everything" is a more common and more standard way to refer to "all things" in modern English, and it is the preferred choice in most contexts.

It is important to note that "every thing" and "everything" are not interchangeable, and using "every thing" instead of "everything" can result in awkward or incorrect usage. In general, it is best to use "everything" when referring to "all things" in English.

In summary, "every thing" is a less common and less standard way to refer to "all things," while "everything" is the more common and more standard way to do so.

If you are unsure which word to use, it is best to stick with "everything" to ensure correct and fluent English usage.

Here are some example sentences to illustrate the difference between "every thing" and "everything":

  • "Every thing in the store is on sale." (In this sentence, "every thing" is used to refer to all the items in the store. However, "every thing" is not a commonly used phrase in modern English, and "everything" is the preferred choice.)

  • "Everything in the store is on sale." (In this sentence, "everything" is used to refer to all the items in the store. This is the more common and more standard way to refer to "all things" in modern English.)

  • "I need every thing on this list." (In this sentence, "every thing" is used to refer to all the items on the list. However, "every thing" is not a commonly used phrase in modern English, and "everything" is the preferred choice.)

  • "I need everything on this list." (In this sentence, "everything" is used to refer to all the items on the list. This is the more common and more standard way to refer to "all things" in modern English.)

Examples of Everything in a Sentence

Here are 10 example sentences using the word "everything":

  1. "Everything in the store is on sale."

  2. "I need everything on this list."

  3. "She packed everything she needed for the trip."

  4. "He knows everything there is to know about cars."

  5. "Everything is going to be alright."

  6. "She said everything will be ready by Friday."

  7. "He gave everything he had in the race."

  8. "Everything is better with a little bit of ice cream."

  9. "They tried everything they could think of to fix the problem."

  10. "Everything changed when he got the promotion."


Every Thing or Everything
Every Thing or Everything