If you’ve ever paused mid-sentence wondering whether to write everything or every thing, you’re not alone — it’s one of those tiny spelling decisions that can trip up even confident writers. This guide explains the standard grammar rule (one word is almost always correct), when the two-word form actually makes sense, and how a free Windows tool called Everything adds a whole new layer to the word. Cambridge Grammar (UK academic resource) confirms that “everything” is an indefinite pronoun written as one word and takes a singular verb.
Monthly searches for “Everything” (software): Over 1 million ·
Year Merriam-Webster added “everything”: 1862 ·
Number of files indexed per minute by Everything: ~500,000
Quick snapshot
- “Everything” is the standard one-word indefinite pronoun (Cambridge Grammar).
- It takes a singular verb and has no plural form (Cambridge Grammar).
- Everything (software) indexes NTFS drives by reading the Master File Table (Void Tools (developer of Everything)).
- Exact origin of the two-word “every thing” in modern usage is debated among linguists. (Babbel (language learning platform))
- Rare word rankings vary by corpus, with no single authoritative list (Babbel (language learning platform)).
- First known use of “everything” as one word: 14th century (Merriam-Webster (US dictionary authority)).
- Everything software first released: 2008 (by David Carpenter / Void Tools). (Merriam-Webster (US dictionary authority))
- Grammar usage: “everything” will remain the standard; “every thing” will likely continue fading.
- Software: Void Tools continues to update Everything with new features and Windows compatibility.
The table below lays out the core attributes of both the pronoun and the software, showing how one word carries two distinct identities.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Word class | Indefinite pronoun (grammar); proper noun (software) |
| First known use (Merriam-Webster) | 14th century (as one word) |
| Software developer | Void Tools |
| Software license | Freeware (proprietary) |
| Supported file systems | NTFS (primary), FAT, exFAT (limited) |
| Verb agreement | Singular (e.g., “everything is,” not “everything are”) |
| Plural form | None — “everythings” is incorrect |
| Software indexing method | Reads NTFS Master File Table directly |
Which is correct, everything or every thing?
Standard spelling rule
According to Cambridge Grammar (UK academic resource), “everything” is an indefinite pronoun and is always written as one word in modern English. Merriam-Webster (US dictionary authority) lists only the single-word form as a headword. GrammarBook notes that “everything” is by far the most common and accepted usage (GrammarBook (US grammar reference)).
When every thing is acceptable
LanGeek explains that the two-word “every thing” can appear when an adjective is inserted between “every” and “thing” — for example, every single thing (LanGeek (English learning platform)). Writing Explained adds that there is little difference in meaning, but “every thing” is rare and may be considered a typo by reviewers (Writing Explained (grammar blog)).
Writers who use “every thing” risk looking careless: most editors will flag it as an error. The safer path is to use the one-word form in virtually all contexts.
The implication: If you want to sound natural and avoid distractions, stick with “everything.” The two-word version should be reserved for rare emphatic or stylistic purposes.
What is the meaning of everything?
General definition
Merriam-Webster (US dictionary authority) defines “everything” as “every thing there is : all.” It also lists a sense meaning “all that relates to the subject.” LanGeek expands: “all things, the most important thing, the situation now, or life generally” (LanGeek).
Language-specific meaning
As a pronoun, “everything” refers to all items collectively, not individually. Cambridge Grammar stresses that it takes a singular verb and cannot be made plural (no “everythings”).
Technical meaning: Everything software
Proper noun: Everything is a free Windows file search utility by Void Tools. It indexes NTFS drives by reading the Master File Table, offering near-instant results (Void Tools (developer of Everything)).
Non-native speakers often expect “every thing” to be correct because “every” is a determiner and “thing” is a noun. But English grammar treats this as a fixed compound. The software meaning, meanwhile, has created a new proper noun that causes search confusion for users looking up grammar.
The pattern: One word, two meanings — a universal pronoun and a niche software product. Context alone tells you which one is intended.
How does the Everything app work?
NTFS indexing principle
Everything reads the NTFS Master File Table (MFT) directly, bypassing the slower Windows Search index. This allows it to catalog hundreds of thousands of files in seconds (Void Tools).
Real-time file tracking
The tool monitors changes to the MFT, so new files appear instantly without manual re-indexing. System resource usage is minimal — a small database and low CPU/RAM footprint (Void Tools documentation).
The catch: Everything only works on NTFS volumes for full performance. On FAT or exFAT drives, functionality is limited and indexing is slower.
What’s the difference between anything and everything?
Two indefinite pronouns, different scopes. LanGeek (English learning platform) explains:
- Anything refers to any single item among a set — an open, non-specific choice.
- Everything refers to all items collectively — the entire set.
Example: “I’d eat anything” (any one food) vs. “I’d eat everything” (all the food on the table). Grammar guides emphasize that the scope difference is critical for clarity.
The comparison table below shows how these two pronouns differ across key dimensions.
| Feature | Anything | Everything |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Any one item | All items |
| Typical verb form | Singular (anything is) | Singular (everything is) |
| Negative use | Common (I don’t want anything) | Less common (I don’t want everything means “not all”) |
| Emphasis | Indifference / non-specificity | Completeness / totality |
The trade-off: Choose “anything” when you mean “no matter which one”; choose “everything” when you mean “the whole lot.” Getting it wrong changes the meaning entirely.
What is a better word for everything?
Synonyms for the pronoun
Thesaurus.com (reference site) lists over 30 synonyms for “everything,” including: all, the whole, the totality, every part, the entirety. For formal writing, “totality” or “the entire set” can add precision.
Synonyms for the software
For the file search tool, there is no direct synonym. Alternatives like “file searcher” or “index tool” are generic but lack the brand name recognition. Users searching for “Everything” will find the software, not the grammar word.
Writers looking for variety can use “all” or “the whole” in many contexts. But when precision is needed — especially in technical or legal writing — “everything” remains the most accurate choice.
Why this matters: A non-native speaker searching for synonyms may end up on a software download page. Understanding the dual meaning helps avoid the wrong destination.
“Everything” is defined as “every thing there is : all.”
Merriam-Webster (US dictionary authority)
Everything indexes NTFS volumes by reading the Master File Table, providing near-instant search results with minimal resource usage.
Void Tools (developer of Everything)
For non-native English speakers and Windows users who need fast file searches, the takeaway is clear: learn the one-word standard for grammar, and if you’re on NTFS, download Everything to find files instantly. The choice between ‘everything’ and ‘every thing’ is simple in practice — use the single word. For the software, it’s even simpler: it’s called Everything, and it works.
hub.englishdigitalacademy.com, langeek.co, promova.com, youtube.com, facebook.com, dailywritingtips.com, reddit.com
Just as writers often mix up every thing and everything, similar confusions like incase vs. in case appear frequently in everyday writing.
Frequently asked questions
Is Everything software free?
Yes, Everything is freeware and can be downloaded from the Void Tools website without charge.
Does Everything work on Windows 11?
Yes, Everything is compatible with Windows 11 (as well as Windows 10, 8, and 7).
Can I use Everything on Mac?
No, Everything is a Windows-only application. There is no official macOS version.
Is everything a noun?
Grammatically, “everything” is an indefinite pronoun, not a noun. However, the software name “Everything” functions as a proper noun.
How do I install Everything?
Download the installer from voidtools.com and run it. Setup is straightforward with default options.
Does Everything index cloud drives?
It can index cloud storage folders if they are synced locally as NTFS folders, but it does not directly index cloud services.
What is the difference between Everything and Windows Search?
Everything reads the NTFS Master File Table for near-instant results, while Windows Search uses a slower, separate index. Everything is also lighter on system resources.
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James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Australian Insight, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.