every thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "every thing" is not correct in standard written English; it should be written as "everything." You can use "everything" when referring to all things or all items in a particular context.
Example: "I packed everything I needed for the trip."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

EVERY THING ON IT.By Shel Silverstein.

The New York Times - Books

In this work we propose Web of Topics (WoX), a Cloud platform for the Internet of (every)Thing (IoE).

Managing the Web of Things Linking the Real World to the Web

Every thing that is.

The New Yorker

It contains a bit of every thing.

The New Yorker

It is every thing by excess.

The New Yorker

(Every thing is what it is).

The New Yorker

I adore every thing about you.

The Guardian - Books

I want every thing that [Isis] wants.

The Guardian

The fire has touched virtually everyone, and every thing.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Every-thing is damp, yet also sultry.

The New Yorker

Every-thing was pixellating into abstraction.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In informal contexts, be mindful of your audience. While "every thing" might be understood, "everything" is generally preferred for clarity and correctness.

Common error

Avoid writing "every thing" when you mean "everything". While understandable, it's seen as a grammatical error in most contexts. Double-check your writing to ensure it's written as one word.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "every thing", while frequently encountered, functions as a misspelling or incorrect form of "everything." Ludwig AI indicates this error, and the intended meaning is to refer to all items or aspects within a given context. As Ludwig's examples show, its intent is typically to function as a pronoun encompassing all things.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

32%

News & Media

27%

Science

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "every thing" appears frequently in various sources, it's generally considered a grammatical error and a misspelling of "everything." Ludwig AI highlights this discrepancy, noting that the intended meaning is to encompass all items or aspects. It's crucial to use "everything" as one word in formal writing. Although the frequency suggests its common usage, particularly in informal contexts such as Wiki and News & Media, adhering to grammatical correctness enhances clarity and credibility. When aiming for comprehensiveness, remember "everything" is the correct and preferred term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

everything

Corrected form of the original phrase, representing all things.

all things

Emphasizes the collective nature of items or aspects being considered.

the whole thing

Highlights the entirety of a specific matter or situation.

each and every thing

Underscores the individual consideration of each element within a set.

absolutely everything

Intensifies the completeness and comprehensiveness of what's included.

all aspects

Focuses on various dimensions or facets of a subject.

the entirety

Highlights the complete extent or scope of something.

the sum total

Emphasizes the aggregate or overall amount of something.

every single item

Stresses the individual nature of each element, particularly in lists or inventories.

the entire collection

Refers to the full set of items within a defined group.

FAQs

Is "every thing" grammatically correct?

No, "every thing" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard written English. The correct form is "everything".

When should I use "every thing" vs. "everything"?

You should almost always use "everything" as one word. There are very rare instances where "every thing" might be used if you are trying to emphasize each individual item, but this is uncommon and can usually be rephrased.

What are some alternatives to "every thing"?

The primary alternative to "every thing" is "everything". Depending on the context, you could also use "all things" or "the whole thing".

Why does Ludwig suggest corrections for "every thing"?

Ludwig suggests corrections because "every thing" is typically a misspelling of "everything". While it might be understood, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect in formal writing.