every penny

USAGE SUMMARY

"every penny" is an idiomatic expression that is commonly used in written English.
It is used to emphasize the importance of how much something costs. For example, "I scraped together every penny I had to buy the car."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He watches every penny.

The Economist

Stretch every penny.

The New York Times

She really deserves every penny.

Independent

They needed every penny.

The New Yorker

But every penny counts".

The New York Times

Worth every penny, Tyra.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"So it was worth every penny".

The New York Times - Science

"He gets every penny," Simpkins explains.

The New York Times

She paid every penny — to no avail.

The New York Times

He was worth every penny.

The Guardian

"They milk every penny from their clients".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "every penny" to underscore the importance of even the smallest amounts of money, especially when discussing budgets, savings, or financial constraints. For instance, "In these tough times, we need to make sure every penny is accounted for."

Common error

Avoid using "every penny" when a general statement about wealth or large sums of money is more appropriate. "Every penny" is best reserved for situations where the small value is significant, not when discussing millions of dollars.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "every penny" primarily functions as a noun phrase used to emphasize the importance or value of even the smallest amounts of money. As Ludwig confirms, it's a common expression in English. The examples show it often appears in contexts related to budgeting, saving, and financial constraints.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "every penny" is a noun phrase that emphasizes the significance of even the smallest sums of money. Ludwig AI validates this usage as common in English, and the examples from reputable sources, such as The New York Times and The Guardian, confirm its widespread use in news, business, and even academic contexts. It's best used when highlighting frugality, careful financial management, or the value of small contributions. Alternatives include "every cent" and "every last penny", offering subtle variations in emphasis. Remember to avoid using it in contexts where large sums of money are being discussed, as this diminishes its intended impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

every cent

Replaces "penny" with "cent", a synonym representing a small unit of currency.

every red cent

An intensifier of "every cent", with a slightly informal tone.

every last penny

Adds emphasis by including "last", highlighting that nothing is spared.

every single penny

Inserts "single" to further stress the individual nature of each monetary unit.

each and every penny

Uses "each and every" to reiterate the comprehensive inclusion of all pennies.

every dime

Substitutes "penny" with "dime", representing a slightly larger but still small amount.

every nickel

Replaces "penny" with "nickel", another small denomination, slightly higher in value.

every shilling

A synonym for penny, evoking a slightly more formal or historical feel.

every coin

Broadens the scope to include all forms of coinage, not just pennies.

every bit of money

Shifts from specific coinage to a general amount of money, regardless of denomination.

FAQs

How can I use "every penny" in a sentence?

You can use "every penny" to emphasize the importance of small amounts of money, such as in the sentence, "We saved "every penny" to afford this vacation."

What's a similar phrase to "every penny"?

Similar phrases include "every cent", which also emphasizes the value of even the smallest amounts of money.

When is it appropriate to use "every penny counts"?

It's appropriate to use "every penny counts" when you want to highlight the need for frugality or the significance of small contributions, especially during difficult times.

What is the difference between "watching every penny" and "counting every penny"?

"Watching "every penny"" implies careful monitoring of spending, while "counting "every penny"" suggests meticulously tracking income and expenses.