Episode 43: Every Child, All People

every/all/most/some — Eleanor Roosevelt, 1948 (A2-B1)

Grammar Box

Meaning: These quantifiers show amounts. Every focuses on individuals one by one (with singular noun). All sees the whole group (with plural). Most means the majority. Some means a portion, not everyone.

Form: every + singular noun | all/most/some + plural noun

Example 1: Every person has rights. (individual focus)

Example 2: All people deserve freedom. (whole group)

Common mistake: Wrong: Every students. Better: Every student. OR All students.

The Question

Luna read the news: “Every person deserves rights.” Then another headline: “All people need freedom.” She paused. “Professor, what’s the difference? Every person or all people?” The watch pulsed warmly. “Let’s meet a woman who fought for every single human being.”

The Journey

Paris, December 10, 1948. Cold winter morning. Luna and Professor Wisdom stand in a large hall. Delegates from many countries sit quietly. At the front, a woman stands. Gray hair. Strong voice. Kind eyes.

This is Eleanor Roosevelt. She was a president’s wife. But she became much more. She chairs the UN Human Rights Commission. She worked for three years. She listened to every country. She considered all opinions.

Tonight, she presents something historic. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Thirty articles. Rights for every human being.

She speaks slowly: “All human beings are born free. Every person has dignity. Most nations agree on basic rights. Some countries still resist. But we must move forward.”

Her voice fills the room. The smell of paper and ink surrounds them. The sound of pens writing fills the silence. Translators whisper in many languages.

Article by article, she reads. “Everyone has the right to life.” “All people deserve education.” “Every child needs protection.” “Most societies value family.”

Some delegates nod. Some look worried. Some whisper to each other. But Eleanor continues. Her hands hold the document firmly. Her voice never wavers.

Before this moment, rights were different everywhere. Some countries protected people. Most didn’t. Many said rights were only for their citizens. Eleanor said no. Rights are universal. For all people. In every country.

Her work changed the world. Now, every nation knows these standards. All people can point to this document. Most countries signed it. Some still struggle to follow it. But the standard exists.

Luna feels tears in her eyes. This woman gave voice to billions. She made “all” mean everyone. She made “every” include each person.

The Insight

Professor Wisdom spoke softly: “Luna, these words have important differences. ‘Every’ focuses on individuals, one by one. ‘All’ sees the group as a whole. ‘Most’ means the majority. ‘Some’ means a part, not everyone.”

“Eleanor used them carefully. ‘Every person’ means each individual matters. ‘All people’ means humanity together. ‘Most nations’ means the majority. ‘Some countries’ means not everyone yet.”

“Remember: every = individual focus, all = whole group, most = majority, some = partial.”

Practice Zone

More Examples:

1. “Every student received a certificate.” — focus on individuals
2. “All students passed the test.” — the whole group
3. “Most people like chocolate.” — the majority, not everyone
4. “Some children prefer quiet games.” — a portion, not all
5. “Every day brings new hope.” — each day individually
6. “All days are precious.” — days as a complete group

Exercises:

1. Fill in the blank: “___ human being deserves respect. ___ people need love.”
   (Choose: every, all, most, some)

2. Choose the correct:
   a) Every countries signed the declaration.
   b) All countries signed the declaration.

3. Match the meaning:
   – Individual focus: “_ child” → every
   – Whole group: “ children” → all
   – Majority: “__ children” → most
   – Partial: “_____ children” → some

4. Complete: “___ person counts. ___ of us can make a difference. ___ people try. ___ succeed.”

5. Your turn: Write about human rights using every, all, most, and some.

Answer Key:

1. Every human being / All people (every focuses on individuals, all on the group)
2. b) All countries (all + plural, every + singular)
3. every child (individual), all children (whole), most children (majority), some children (partial)
4. Every person / All of us / Most people / Some succeed
5. Check: Did you use every with singular? All with plural? Most for majority? Some for partial?

The Lesson

Back home, Luna understood the power of these small words. Every person matters individually. All people matter together. Eleanor Roosevelt knew this. She chose her words carefully. Because words shape how we see the world. And she wanted us to see everyone.