every single item

USAGE SUMMARY

"every single item" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to express something that has been done comprehensively and completely. For example: "I checked every single item on my grocery list to make sure I had everything I needed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We do not survey every single item".

The New York Times

"The Vatican Library approves every single item we work on".

The New York Times

I had to shake them off every single item of clothing I had.

The Guardian - Opinion

Subramaniam says: "Typically these costs would be arranged in groups rather than listing every single item.

The Guardian

"I'm willing to stand by every single item in this bill," he said.

The New York Times

Based on Brill's findings and copies of hospital bills, virtually every single item was priced extravagantly.

Harvard University

Another acquaintance celebrates New Year's by tossing out every single item in her fridge.

The New York Times

It has a clever predictive-entry system that seems to know about every single item in the modern American megamarket.

The New York Times - Tech

That looked likely by the time the inspector finally finished looking through every single item in the Zecchins' bags.

The New York Times

The one deviation from the norm is that every single item has been hand stitched from felt.

The Guardian - Arts

An Israeli-Dutch artist has created a sculpture of every single item that he ate for an entire year.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "every single item", ensure that you genuinely mean each and all items. Overuse can weaken your writing; consider if "all items" or "each item" would suffice.

Common error

Avoid adding redundant qualifiers like "absolutely every single item" as it can sound repetitive. "Every single item" already implies completeness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "every single item" functions as a determiner that modifies a noun. It emphasizes the comprehensiveness and completeness of the noun it modifies, indicating that no element within the set is excluded. Ludwig shows it's used to ensure everything is included.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "every single item" is a phrase used to emphasize the complete inclusion of all elements within a set. As indicated by Ludwig, it is considered grammatically correct and is frequently found in various types of texts, from News & Media to Academia. When using this phrase, make sure it is needed and not weakening your writing with redundancies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

each individual item

Emphasizes the individuality and separateness of each item, similar to "every single item".

each and every item

Adds emphasis through repetition, highlighting the comprehensiveness of the selection.

each item without exception

Explicitly states that no item is excluded, mirroring the inclusivity of "every single item".

all items individually

Highlights that each item is considered separately, conveying thoroughness.

every item without fail

Emphasizes the certainty that each item is included or addressed.

each distinct item

Focuses on the uniqueness of each item, suggesting a detailed review.

the entirety of items

Puts stress on the group of items, but also conveys that not even one is omitted.

the complete set of items

Highlights the entire collection of items.

the whole range of items

Focuses on the broad scope of the items considered.

the sum of items

This is used to express the inclusion of all the parts.

FAQs

How can I use "every single item" in a sentence?

You can use "every single item" to emphasize that you are referring to each and all items in a set, for example, "The inspector checked "every single item" in the suitcase".

Is there a difference between "every item" and "every single item"?

While "every item" and "every single item" are similar, the addition of "single" emphasizes that you mean each and all without exception. It adds a degree of thoroughness and completeness.

What are some alternatives to using "every single item" in writing?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "all items", "each item", "each individual item", or "each and every item".

When is it best to use "every single item" over "all items"?

"Every single item" is best used when you want to strongly emphasize the individual consideration of each element within a group, whereas "all items" is a more general reference to the entire collection.