All things considered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'All things considered' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to mean that, after taking everything into account, a certain conclusion is justified. For example, "All things considered, I think it would be best to accept the job offer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was fortunate, all things considered.

Vice

All things considered, in fact, no.

The Economist

All things considered, Baird did exceptional work.

The New Yorker

All things considered, it indisputably was.

The New York Times - Arts

All things considered, that's not saying much.

The New York Times - Sports

All things considered, Neilson looks pretty good.

The New York Times - Sports

All things considered, that's a little alarming.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

All things considered, I am satisfied.

The Guardian - Books

"All things considered, it's been good".

The New York Times

All things considered, Nolan gets my vote.

The Guardian - Film

All things considered, Mitchell is reasonably fortunate.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context; "All things considered" works well in situations where a balanced assessment is needed, acknowledging both positive and negative aspects.

Common error

Avoid using "All things considered" as a direct substitute for conjunctions like "therefore" or "because". While it can introduce a conclusion, it's not a simple causal link. For instance, instead of writing "The weather was bad, all things considered, we stayed home", it's better to write "The weather was bad; therefore, we stayed home."

Linguistic Context

Adverbial phrase functioning as a sentence adverbial. It modifies the entire sentence, indicating that the statement is a conclusion reached after considering various factors. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples demonstrating its role in summarizing or concluding an assessment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"All things considered" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to introduce a conclusion or summary after evaluating various factors. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and very common, suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though particularly prevalent in news and media. It signals a balanced judgment, acknowledging multiple aspects of a situation. When writing, it is useful to make sure this sentence is not misused as a direct replacement for causal conjunctions like "therefore" or "because". Alternatives include "taking everything into account" and "on balance". This analysis has provided a comprehensive overview of its usage, alternatives, and common pitfalls.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Taking everything into account

This alternative places more emphasis on the act of considering all factors before reaching a conclusion.

Considering everything

This is a shortened version of "taking everything into account", maintaining a high degree of interchangeability.

Taking all factors into consideration

This alternative phrase is a more formal and explicit version of "all things considered".

On balance

This implies a weighing of different factors to reach a conclusion, similar to "all things considered".

In the final analysis

This alternative highlights the conclusion after a thorough examination.

In light of everything

This alternative emphasizes that decisions are based on the knowledge of the situation.

Overall

This is a more general term that suggests a summary judgment.

By and large

This suggests that the statement is true despite some exceptions, similar to one usage of the original phrase.

In general

Similar to 'overall', but with less of an implication of careful consideration.

When all is said and done

This is a more idiomatic way of expressing a final judgment after all events have occurred.

FAQs

How can I use "All things considered" in a sentence?

You can use "All things considered" to introduce a conclusion or summary statement after evaluating different aspects of a situation. For example, "The project had some setbacks, but "all things considered", it was a success".

What are some alternatives to "All things considered"?

Alternatives include phrases like "taking everything into account", "on balance", or "overall", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "All things considered" formal or informal?

"All things considered" is generally considered appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, alternatives like "taking all factors into consideration" may be preferred.

When is it appropriate to use "All things considered"?

It is appropriate to use "All things considered" when you want to indicate that you have taken multiple factors into account before reaching a conclusion or making a judgment. It's useful when the situation is complex and not easily summarized by a single reason.