"every country" vs "every countries"

Question

"every country" vs "every countries"

When "country" is being used as a noun, write "every country." (Every country sent representatives to the summit.)

When "country" is being used as a possessive, write "every country's." (Every country's representatives took the summit very seriously.)

Last Updated: March 20, 2019

If "country" is being used as a noun in the sentence, then write "every country."

Tip: "Every" and "each" are used with singular nouns.

Explanation provided by a TextRanch English expert

Some examples from our editors:

I have visited every country in North America at least once.
On the geography quiz, the students had to label every country in Africa.
Every country celebrates when its athletes win Olympic medals.

Some alternatives from our editors:

each country

There are two possible ways to correct "every countries."

If "country" is being used as a noun, write "every country." "Every" and "each" are used with singular nouns, not plural ones.

If "country" is being used as a possessive, then write "every country's." Generally, possessive forms of singular nouns are formed by adding an apostrophe and "s" to the end of the word.

Explanation provided by a TextRanch English expert

Answer 1

every country

This is correct

Answer 2

every countries

This is not correct. Don't use this phrase.

"every country" vs "every countries"

every country

every countries

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