all

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "all" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an entire amount or an entire group of something. For example: "We got all the ingredients we need to make a cake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"All bets are off.

The New York Times - Sports

After all, you just go to an emergency room".

The New York Times

"Not at all," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

That is not all.

The New York Times

For all of us.

The New York Times - Magazine

Or all three.

The New York Times - Science

But that is not all.

The New York Times

We are very aware of the impact it will have on those involved and we are doing all we can to provide our support to those injured and their families.

The Guardian

The grievances aren't unreasonable, on either side, but the focus on fairness, by making it harder to reach any kind of agreement at all, could prove disastrous.

The New York Times

(All true).

The New York Times - Arts

So that's all right, then.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "all" with plural countable nouns, ensure the verb agrees with the plural subject. For example, "All the students are present".

Common error

Avoid using "all" with singular countable nouns. For example, instead of "all the book", use "the whole book" or "the entire book".

Linguistic Context

The word "all" functions primarily as a determiner, modifying nouns to indicate the entirety of a group or amount. It can also function as a pronoun, standing in for a group or amount, and as an adverb, modifying verbs or adjectives. Ludwig examples show its flexibility in various sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

11%

Science

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "all" is a versatile and essential component of the English language, primarily functioning as a determiner, pronoun, and adverb. Its primary function is to express totality or inclusivity. Ludwig AI confirms that "all" is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. When writing, ensure "all" agrees in number with the noun it modifies and avoid misusing it with singular countable nouns. Alternatives like "the entirety" or "everything" can be used for variation, maintaining clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

everything

Emphasizes the inclusion of every item or aspect.

the whole

Highlights the completeness of a unit or group.

the entirety

Focuses on the complete extent or scope of something.

every single one

Stresses individuality within a complete set.

each and every

Underscores the individual consideration of all members.

in its entirety

Adds emphasis on completeness and unbroken state of something.

the sum total

Implies a calculation or aggregation of all parts.

collectively

Highlights the action or state of a group acting as one.

without exception

Explicitly excludes any exceptions to a general rule.

universally

Indicates that something applies to everyone or everything in a given context.

FAQs

How to use "all" in a sentence?

"All" can be used as a determiner before a noun (e.g., "all the students"), as a pronoun (e.g., "all are welcome"), or as an adverb (e.g., "all the better").

What can I say instead of "all"?

You can use alternatives like "the entirety", "everything", or "the whole" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "all of the" or "all the"?

Both "all of the" and "all the" are generally correct. "All the" is more common and often preferred, especially in informal contexts. "All of the" can add emphasis or formality.

What's the difference between "all" and "every"?

"All" refers to a group as a whole, while "every" refers to each individual member of the group. For example, "all students" means the group of students, while "every student" means each individual student.