Distributive pronoun in the nominative and accusative (sérhver)

When you want to emphasize "every single" item in a group, use the distributive pronoun sérhver. It is formed by attaching the prefix sér- to the pronoun hver (each/every) and declines exactly like it.

every single
sérhver

Nominative and Accusative Forms

Like an adjective, sérhver must match the noun it describes in gender and case. Here are the nominative (subject) and accusative (direct object) forms:

GenderNominativeAccusative
Masculinesérhversérhvern
Femininesérhversérhverja
Neutersérhvertsérhvert

As a Subject (Nominative)

When "every single" item is the subject of the sentence, use the nominative case.

Every single standard is strict if the product goes into export.
Sérhver staðall er strangur ef varan fer í útflutning.
Every single step on the production line is important.
Sérhvert skref á framleiðslulínunni er mikilvægt.

As a Direct Object (Accusative)

When an action is being done to "every single" item, it becomes the direct object and takes the accusative case.

We examine every single machine, and indeed the quality control is strict.
Við yfirförum sérhverja vél, enda er gæðaeftirlitið strangt.
I guarantee that we find every single defective car.
Ég ábyrgist að við finnum sérhvern gallaðan bíl.
Does the machine fulfill every single requirement and every single criterion?
Uppfyllir vélin sérhverja kröfu og sérhvert viðmið?