VOA慢速英语2019--Each or Every?

 

Today we answer a question from Sandra M.

Question:

She writes, “Hello! Could you tell me, please, what the difference is between 'each' and 'every’… Which option¹ is correct: each cell² or every cell?”

Answer:

Dear Sandra,

Thank you for writing to us.

Yes, “each” and “every” are very similar words. I admit, sometimes I have to think about which one to use!

In general, you use “each” when you are talking about one individual object or person. “Every” is used for a group of objects, or people that you group together.

For example, you can say:

Each tree in the forest is different, but every tree is beautiful.

Here’s another example. The American poet Maya Angelou said:

“I believe that every person is born with talent."

She used “every” because she was talking about all people. But if she wanted to point out that we are not all good at the same things, she could have added³:

“Each person has a different talent, just like each person has a different voice.”

Now, let’s answer your question. Use “each cell” if you are talking about individual cells⁴, or cells that are not the same. For example:

Each cell has a specific⁵ purpose. One cell becomes part of a heart, one cell becomes part of a lung, and one cell becomes part of a brain.

But if you say, “Every cell in your body has a wall,” you are talking about the group of cells in your body, and how they are all alike⁶.

By the way, you can also put “each” and “every” together in the same sentence to show you have a strong opinion. Like this:

“I want each and every one of you to know we believe you can be good English speakers!”

And That’s Ask a Teacher!

I’m Anne Ball.

1 option   

n.选择，取舍，选择权，选择的自由

参考例句：

• You will have to pay them;you have no option.你必须付给他们钱，别无选择。
• The option for peace should never be closed off.和平的选择之门永远不应被关死。

2 cell   

n.区，细胞，血球；小室，牢房；电池，光电管；基层组织

参考例句：

• Soap destroys the cell walls of bacteria.肥皂破坏细菌的细胞壁。
• They have locked the prisoners up in their cell.他们已把犯人监禁在小牢房里。

3 added   

adj.更多的，附加的，额外的

参考例句：

• They have added a new scene at the beginning.在开头他们又增加了一场戏。
• The pop music added to our enjoyment of the film.片中的流行音乐使我们对这部电影更加喜爱。

4 cells   

n.细胞( cell的名词复数 )；小牢房；（修道士或修女住的）小房间；电池

参考例句：

• Once in the bloodstream, the bacteria adhere to the surface of the red cells. 细菌一进入血液里，就附着在红细胞表面上。
• an amorphous mass of cells with no identity at all 不知何物的杂乱一团的细胞

5 specific   

adj.明确的；具体的；特定的

参考例句：

• The money is to be used for specific purposes.这笔钱有专门用途。
• We haven't fixed a specific date for our meeting.我们会议的具体日期还没有定下来。

6 alike   

adj.同样的，相像的；adv.一样地；同程度地　

参考例句：

• The twins are so alike that I can't tell which is which.这对双胞胎一模一样，我分辨不出谁是谁。
• All stories seemed dreadfully alike,no matter who told them.看来，不管谁讲，故事都是千篇一律的。