Each Has or Each Have: Complete English Grammar Guide

The subtleties of English grammar often reveal themselves in seemingly simple constructions. Among these linguistic nuances, the correct usage of "each has" versus "each have" represents a fundamental yet frequently misunderstood distinction. This confusion stems not from arbitrary rules but from deeper principles of subject-verb agreement that form the backbone of effective communication.

Understanding when to use "each has" or "each have" transcends mere grammatical correctness—it demonstrates precision in expression and clarity of thought. Business professionals, academic writers, and non-native English speakers alike encounter this grammatical choice regularly, often hesitating at this common crossroads of usage.

This comprehensive guide will dissect the grammatical principles governing the usage of "each," analyze its behavior as both pronoun and determiner, and provide clear frameworks for making the correct choice every time. By examining authentic examples and contextual applications, we'll transform this potentially confusing topic into a practical tool for enhancing your written and spoken English.

What Does "Each" Mean?

Definition and Function

"Each" functions as a powerful specificity marker in English, referring to individual items within a group, considered one at a time. Unlike collective terms that treat groups as unified wholes, "each" deliberately isolates individual elements, emphasizing their separate identities while acknowledging their membership in a larger collection.

This word serves dual grammatical roles:

As a determiner (preceding nouns): "Each student must complete the assignment."
As a pronoun (standing alone): "I examined each carefully."

The distinction matters significantly because the grammatical function directly influences verb agreement patterns. When used as a singular determiner or pronoun, "each" typically requires singular verb forms—a rule that forms the foundation for our discussion of "has" versus "have."

Singular Nature of "Each"

The singularity of "each" emerges from its fundamental purpose: to individualize members of a group. When we say "each person," we mentally separate individuals from their collective, examining them one by one rather than as a unit. This individualization naturally aligns with singular verb forms.

Consider the cognitive difference:

"All students have completed their assignments." (Group viewed collectively)
"Each student has completed their assignment." (Individuals viewed separately)

This singular nature of "each" represents more than a grammatical technicality—it reflects how we conceptualize and express individuality within plurality.

Is It "Each Has" or "Each Have"?

The General Rule: "Each Has"

The standard grammatical principle is straightforward: "each," when functioning as the subject of a sentence, takes a singular verb form. Therefore, "each has" is generally correct while "each have" is typically incorrect in standard usage.

This rule stems from the singular conceptual nature of "each" as we've established. When "each" serves as the subject—whether as a standalone pronoun or as part of a noun phrase—it refers to individuals considered separately, not collectively.

Correct examples:

"Each student has submitted their paper."
"Each of the paintings has significant historical value."
"Each has its own unique characteristics."

The singularity principle remains consistent regardless of whether the items being individualized are themselves singular or plural entities.

Exceptions and Special Cases

While the singular treatment of "each" represents the grammatical standard, several contextual situations introduce complexity:

When "each" functions as an adverb: "The students have each completed their assignments." Here, "each" modifies the verb rather than serving as the subject, making "have" correct because "students" is the actual subject.
In compound subjects: "Jack and Jill each have their own perspective." Here, the subject is "Jack and Jill" (plural), with "each" functioning adverbially rather than as the subject itself.
In certain spoken contexts: In some dialects and informal speech, "each have" appears occasionally, representing a shift toward notional agreement based on the implied plurality of the group being divided into individuals.

These exceptions highlight the dynamic nature of English, where grammatical rules often interact with contextual factors and evolving usage patterns.

When to Use "Each Has"

Key Scenarios for "Each Has"

"Each has" becomes the correct choice in several clear scenarios:

When "each" functions as the standalone subject pronoun: "Each has a role to play in the project's success."
When "each" acts as a determiner in a singular noun phrase: "Each team member has specific responsibilities."
When "each of" precedes a plural noun phrase: "Each of the candidates has impressive qualifications."
In relative clauses where "each" is the antecedent: "The reports, each of which has been verified, will be published."

The common thread in these scenarios is that "each" either directly serves as the grammatical subject or determines the subject's singularity, thereby requiring "has" as the appropriate verb form.

Examples in Context

To cement understanding, let's examine properly constructed sentences using "each has" across various contexts:

In business writing: "Each department has established its own performance metrics for the quarter."

In academic prose: "Each theory has merits when applied to specific historical periods."

In technical documentation: "Each component has been tested under extreme conditions."

In everyday communication: "Each of my children has developed different interests over time."

These examples demonstrate how the "each has" construction maintains grammatical precision while conveying the intended individualized focus across diverse contexts.

When to Use "Each Have"

Situations Where "Each Have" Is Correct

While less common than "each has," the construction "each have" becomes grammatically acceptable in specific structural arrangements:

When "each" functions adverbially after a plural subject: "The team members have each contributed to the project."
In sentences where "each" is part of a prepositional phrase modifying a plural subject: "The participants, with each in their assigned roles, have completed the simulation."
With certain collective subjects where notional agreement prevails: "The couple each have their own career aspirations."

The critical distinction in these cases is that "each" is not functioning as the grammatical subject determining verb agreement. Instead, a plural subject elsewhere in the sentence governs the verb choice, with "each" serving a different grammatical role.

Examples in Context

Consider these properly constructed examples of "each have" in various contexts:

Organizational settings: "Our regional offices have each implemented the new protocols."

Educational contexts: "The students have each selected different research topics."

Technical discussions: "These systems have each demonstrated reliability under different conditions."

Everyday language: "My sisters have each pursued entirely different career paths."

In each example, note that a plural subject (offices, students, systems, sisters) controls the verb "have," while "each" serves an adverbial function emphasizing individual action within the plural group.

Common Mistakes with "Each Has" and "Each Have"

Confusion with Plural Objects

A frequent source of error comes from being misled by plural nouns that follow "each of" constructions:

Incorrect: "Each of the employees have received their benefits package." Correct: "Each of the employees has received their benefits package."

The confusion arises because "employees" is plural, potentially suggesting a plural verb. However, the grammatical subject remains "each" (singular), not "employees," which appears in a prepositional phrase modifying "each."

Agreement with Compound Subjects

Another common error occurs with compound subjects involving "each":

Incorrect: "John and Mary each has their own opinion." Correct: "John and Mary each have their own opinion."

Here, the subject is the compound "John and Mary" (plural), with "each" functioning adverbially. The verb must agree with the plural compound subject, not with "each."

Inconsistency in Extended Sentences

Extended sentence structures often lead to agreement errors as writers lose track of the true subject:

Incorrect: "Each of the reports submitted by the regional managers have been analyzed." Correct: "Each of the reports submitted by the regional managers has been analyzed."

The distance between "each" and the verb "have/has" creates opportunity for confusion, especially with intervening plural nouns like "managers" that may mistakenly be perceived as controlling the verb.

Differences in American and British English Usage

Standard Usage Across Varieties

The fundamental rule governing "each has" versus "each have" remains consistent across both American and British English. In both varieties, "each" as a subject typically takes singular verb forms, making "each has" the standard construction in both traditions.

However, subtle differences emerge in specific contexts:

Variations in Collective Nouns

British English shows greater flexibility with collective nouns, sometimes allowing plural verb agreement based on notional plurality:

British English (more common): "The team each have their own jerseys." American English (preferred): "The team each has its own jerseys."

This variation reflects a broader pattern where British English more readily treats collective nouns as plural when emphasizing individual members rather than the group as a unit.

Regional Dialect Variations

Beyond standard British and American usage, various English dialects show distinctive patterns:

Some Scottish and Northern British dialects display greater acceptance of "each have" constructions
Certain American regional varieties exhibit similar tendencies in spoken language
Australian and New Zealand English generally align with British patterns in this aspect

These variations highlight how grammar rules interact with regional linguistic traditions, creating a complex landscape of acceptable usage patterns across the English-speaking world.

"Each" with Other Verbs

Consistency Across Various Verbs

The principle governing "each has/have" extends to all verbs, not just forms of "have." The singularity of "each" requires singular verb forms throughout:

"Each goes" (not "each go")
"Each seems" (not "each seem")
"Each was" (not "each were")
"Each does" (not "each do")

This consistent pattern reinforces the fundamental nature of "each" as grammatically singular.

Examples with Different Verb Forms

To illustrate the consistent application across various verbs:

Present tense verbs: "Each student attends a different seminar."

Past tense verbs: "Each participant submitted their evaluation form."

Modal verbs: "Each must complete the registration process."

Perfect tenses: "Each has achieved remarkable progress."

These examples demonstrate how the singularity of "each" governs verb agreement across all verb forms and tenses, creating a consistent grammatical pattern.

"Each" in Complex Sentences

Subject-Verb Agreement in Subordinate Clauses

Complex sentences introduce additional layers where agreement with "each" must be maintained:

"Each of the proposals, which were submitted last week, has unique merits."

Here, though "which were" takes a plural form (agreeing with "proposals"), the main clause verb "has" correctly agrees with "each" as the singular subject. Maintaining these distinct agreement patterns requires careful attention to the grammatical relationships within complex sentence structures.

Compound and Compound-Complex Sentences

When "each" appears in compound or compound-complex sentences, agreement patterns become even more intricate:

"Each candidate has submitted their application, and they will be notified of the results next week."

Here, "each candidate" governs the singular "has," while the plural pronoun "they" in the second clause refers back to the implied plurality of multiple candidates. This shift from grammatical singularity to notional plurality across clauses represents a sophisticated aspect of English agreement patterns.

Practical Tips for Correct Usage

Ask the Right Questions

To determine whether "each has" or "each have" is appropriate, ask these key questions:

Is "each" functioning as the subject (or determining the subject's number)? If yes, use "has."
Is "each" modifying a plural subject that controls the verb? If yes, use "have."
Does "each" appear after the verb in an adverbial role? If yes, the verb agrees with the main subject, not with "each."

This analytical framework provides a reliable approach to making correct choices consistently.

Memory Aids and Shortcuts

To reinforce correct usage patterns, consider these practical memory aids:

Remember: "Each one has" (The "one" reinforces singularity)
When "each" starts the subject, think singular
When "each" follows a plural subject and verb, the plural verb is correct
Mentally substitute "every single one" for "each" to clarify singular nature

These memory devices can help solidify understanding and reduce errors in everyday writing and speaking.

Advanced Applications: "Each" in Professional and Academic Writing

Precision in Technical and Business Communication

In specialized professional contexts, the precise use of "each has" versus "each have" contributes significantly to clarity:

"Each dataset has been independently verified for accuracy." "The research teams have each developed distinct methodologies."

Such precision matters especially in contexts where ambiguity could have significant consequences, such as legal documents, technical specifications, or scientific reporting.

Academic Writing Standards

Academic style guides universally endorse the standard singular treatment of "each" as subject. However, they often acknowledge the complexities in constructions where "each" serves other grammatical functions:

"While participants in Group A have each demonstrated improvement, each of the control subjects has maintained baseline performance."

This nuanced approach to agreement patterns often distinguishes sophisticated academic prose from more casual writing styles.

Digital Language Tools and "Each"

Grammar Checkers and "Each"

Modern grammar checking tools generally correctly identify basic agreement errors with "each," especially in simple constructions. However, their performance becomes less reliable in complex sentences with multiple agreement patterns or when "each" serves in adverbial roles.

For example, many grammar checkers correctly flag: "Each of the students have different strengths." (Should be "has")

But they may struggle with: "The committee members, each with their own expertise, have contributed to the report."

This suggests that while digital tools provide valuable support, they cannot fully replace understanding of the grammatical principles governing "each."

AI Writing Assistants and Complex Agreement

As AI writing assistants become more sophisticated, their handling of agreement with "each" continues to improve. However, these systems still occasionally produce errors in complex constructions or fail to recognize dialectal variations where "each have" might be acceptable in specific contexts.

Users of such tools should maintain vigilance, especially when precision matters in professional or academic contexts.

Common Expressions with "Each"

Fixed Phrases and Idioms

Several common expressions incorporate "each" with established agreement patterns:

"To each his/her/their own" (expressing respect for individual preferences)
"Each and every one has..." (emphasizing comprehensiveness through redundancy)
"Each in turn has..." (indicating sequential consideration)

These fixed expressions maintain the standard agreement pattern with singular verbs, reinforcing the grammatical singularity of "each."

Contemporary Usage Trends

Modern English usage shows some evolution in expressions with "each," particularly regarding pronoun choice:

Increasingly common: "Each student has their own approach."
Traditional but declining: "Each student has his or her own approach."
Formal contexts still sometimes use: "Each student has his/her own approach."

This shift toward singular "they" with "each" reflects broader changes in English pronoun usage while maintaining the singular verb agreement with "each."

Practical Exercises

Self-Assessment Questions

To test your understanding, determine whether the following sentences use "has" and "have" correctly with "each":

Each of the team members ____ (has/have) completed their assigned tasks.
The participants ____ (has/have) each received a certificate.
Each proposal, regardless of its origin, ____ (has/have) been thoroughly evaluated.
The department heads ____ (has/have) each selected their representatives.
Each of the options presented ____ (has/have) distinct advantages.

Answers:

has (subject is "each")
have (subject is "participants")
has (subject is "each proposal")
have (subject is "department heads")
has (subject is "each")

Sentence Correction Practice

Identify and correct any errors in these sentences:

Each of the applicants have impressive qualifications.
The committee members has each voted on the proposal.
Each manager and supervisor have submitted their reports.
Each of the experiments, despite technical challenges, have yielded valuable data.
The new policies, each targeting different departments, has been implemented.

Corrections:

Each of the applicants has impressive qualifications.
The committee members have each voted on the proposal.
Each manager and supervisor has submitted their reports. (If "each" applies to the compound subject collectively) OR: The managers and supervisors have each submitted their reports. (If "each" is adverbial)
Each of the experiments, despite technical challenges, has yielded valuable data.
The new policies, each targeting different departments, have been implemented.

Additional Grammar Points Related to "Each"

"Each" vs. "Every"

Though both indicate individual members of a group, subtle distinctions separate "each" from "every":

"Each" emphasizes individuals considered separately
"Every" emphasizes completeness of the group
Both take singular verbs when functioning as subjects

Compare: "Each student has submitted an individual project." (Focusing on separate submissions) "Every student has submitted a project." (Emphasizing universal compliance)

"Each" with Plural Pronouns

Modern English increasingly accepts plural pronouns with singular "each":

"Each candidate should submit their application by Friday."

This construction, once contested by strict prescriptivists, now appears in many style guides as an acceptable solution to gender-neutral language needs while maintaining singular verb agreement with "each."

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