Learn English – Any or every age

quantifiersword-choiceword-difference

A person of ____ age may suffer from defects of vision.

Take for example the sentence above. Here I'm not sure whether I should use every or any in this case. Where is the difference? For me it has the same meaning. When do you need to use every and when any? I'm looking for a general usage of any and every, not only in this case.

Best Answer

"Any" refers to one member of a set ("of any age.") "Every" refers to all members of a set.

"A person of any age may suffer from defects of vision" [correct]

means, any member of the set can experience defects in vision.

"A person of every age may suffer from defects of vision" [incorrect]

doesn't make sense, because "a person" cannot be "of every age."