Each Of You Are Or Each Of You Is

Each of You Is: Mastering a Common Grammatical Dilemma

The phrase “each of you” sits at a fascinating crossroads of English grammar, where intuition often clashes with formal rule. For many speakers, the sentence “Each of you are responsible for your own work” feels perfectly natural. Yet, a quiet grammatical voice insists it should be “Each of you is responsible…” This seemingly small choice between “is” and “are” reveals deep principles about how the English language handles collective and distributive meaning. Understanding why “each of you is” is the grammatically standard form is not about pedantry; it’s about achieving precision and clarity in communication, ensuring your message is received exactly as intended. This article will definitively resolve this common point of confusion, exploring the grammatical logic, common pitfalls, and practical application of this essential rule.

The Core Rule: “Each” Dictates Singularity

At its heart, the rule is straightforward: the verb must agree with its subject. The subject of the clause is not the pronoun “you,” but the distributive pronoun “each.” The prepositional phrase “of you” merely modifies “each,” specifying which group of individuals we are talking about individually. “Each” is inherently singular, meaning “every one of two or more people or things considered separately.” Therefore, it demands a singular verb.

• Correct: Each of you is required to submit a report.
• Incorrect: Each of you are required to submit a report.

Think of it this way: you could replace “each of you” with “every one of you,” which is unambiguously singular.

• Every one of you is here. (Clearly correct)
• Every one of you are here. (Clearly wrong)

If you can mentally substitute “each” with “every one,” the correct verb form becomes obvious. The word “each” pulls the subject back to a singular focus, treating the members of the group as separate, individual units rather than a collective whole.

Why “Each of You Are” Feels Right (And Why It’s Still Wrong)

The intuition to use “are” is completely understandable and stems from two powerful forces in English:

1. The Proximity of “You”: The noun or pronoun immediately preceding the verb is “you,” which is historically and grammatically both a plural and singular pronoun. In modern English, “you” takes a plural verb: “You are all invited.” Our ear, hearing “you” right before the verb, naturally expects the plural verb “are” to follow. This is a classic case of agreement attraction, where a grammatically unrelated nearby noun (in this case, the object of the preposition “of”) incorrectly influences verb choice.

2. The Collective Sense: When addressing a group—a classroom, a team, an audience—we are conceptually thinking of them as a plural group. The phrase “each of you” is used precisely because we are addressing multiple people. The semantic meaning is plural, even though the grammatical subject is singular. Our brains prioritize the real-world, plural meaning over the abstract grammatical structure.

Despite these compelling reasons for the “feel,” formal written English and careful speech adhere to the grammatical subject rule. Using “is” is a mark of grammatical precision. In informal spoken English, particularly in some dialects, “each of you are” is heard and may even be accepted in certain contexts, but it remains non-standard in formal writing, academic work, professional communication, and standardized tests.

Scientific Explanation: The Grammar of Distributive Pronouns

Linguistically, “each” is classified as a distributive pronoun or distributive adjective. Its function is to distribute a quality or action to individual members of a group one by one. This distributive quality is what enforces singularity.

• Each student has a textbook. (Singular verb for singular distributive pronoun)
• Each of the apples is ripe. (Singular verb, even with plural “apples” in the prepositional phrase)
• Each of the candidates was interviewed. (Singular verb)

The construction “each of + plural noun/pronoun” is a fixed pattern in English grammar. The head of the noun phrase is “each,” not the plural noun following “of.” The verb must therefore align with “each.” This pattern holds true for other distributive words like “every” and “either” (when meaning “each of two”):

• Every one of the cookies is gone.
• Either of the options is acceptable.

The only common exception to this strict rule involves the pronoun “none.” “None” can be singular or plural depending on context and style (e.g., “None of the water is spilled” vs. “None of the cookies are left”), but “each” does not share this flexibility. “Each” is always singular.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The error typically manifests in a few predictable ways:

1. The Simple Swap: “Each of you are…” This is the direct mistake of using the plural verb triggered by “you.”
2. The Compound Subject Confusion: Sometimes writers extend the error into the rest of the sentence. “Each of you are responsible for your projects are due Friday.” Here, the second “are” might also be incorrectly made plural to match the perceived plural subject “projects.” The correct form is: “Each of you is responsible for your project which is due Friday.” (Note: “your project” is singular to match “each”).
3. The Collective Noun Trap: This rule is different from the rule for collective nouns like “team” or “family.” With collective nouns, you can choose singular or plural verb based on whether you view the group as a single unit or as individuals (e.g., “The team is winning” vs. “The team are arguing among themselves”). “Each of you” is not a collective noun; it is a distributive phrase. There is no option for a plural verb.

How to Self-Correct: When in doubt, isolate the subject. Remove the prepositional phrase “of you.”

• Each is here. (Obviously correct)
• Each are here. (Obviously wrong)

The verb must work with the bare subject “Each.”

Practical Application in Different Contexts

Mastering this rule elevates your writing and speaking across numerous domains:

• Formal Instructions & Policies: “Each of you is required to complete the training module.” This conveys authority and grammatical correctness.
• Academic Writing: “Each of the participants is asked to sign a consent form.” Precision is paramount in research.
• Professional Communication: “Each of you is accountable for your section of the report.” It reinforces individual responsibility within a team.
• Public Speaking: Addressing an audience, “I want to thank each of you **is

here tonight for coming.” This ensures your message is clear and your language is polished.

In everyday conversation, the rule applies just as strictly. Whether you’re giving instructions to a group, writing an email to colleagues, or crafting a formal announcement, using the correct verb form after “each of you” demonstrates attention to detail and respect for your audience. It may seem like a small point, but in professional and academic contexts, such precision can make a significant difference in how your message is received.

Remember, the key is to always treat “each” as a singular subject, regardless of the plurality of the noun it refers to. By doing so, you ensure that your writing and speech are not only grammatically correct but also clear and effective. This simple rule, once mastered, will serve you well in all forms of communication, helping you convey your ideas with confidence and authority.