all about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "all about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is the primary focus of conversation or another activity. For example, "We spent the entire dinner talking all about their upcoming wedding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We're all about open".

Forbes

It's all about tension".

The New York Times - Arts

"It's all about people.

The New Yorker

It's all about anchors.

The New York Times

It's all about now".

The New York Times

It's all about negotiating".

The New York Times

It's all about voting.

Independent

It's all about dreaming".

The New York Times

"I'm all about me!

The New Yorker

It's all about jobs.

The New Yorker

It's all about traffic.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all about" to emphasize the central theme or focus of a situation, argument, or discussion. For example, instead of saying "This meeting concerns project updates", try "This meeting is all about project updates".

Common error

While "all about" is versatile, avoid using it excessively in formal writing. Opt for more precise language, such as "primarily focused on" or "chiefly related to", to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all about" functions as a predicate adjective, emphasizing the central theme or focus of a subject. Ludwig AI states that it is used to refer to something that is the primary focus. This is evident in the examples where it highlights the main concern, like something being all about 'jobs' or 'traffic'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Wiki

6%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "all about" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to emphasize the main focus or essence of a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile for highlighting the core theme in various contexts, most notably in news and media. While its register is generally neutral to informal, careful consideration should be given in highly formal settings where more precise language may be preferred. Alternatives like "primarily concerned with" or "mainly focused on" can provide a more professional tone when needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mainly focused on

This emphasizes a focus on the major or principal aspects of a subject.

primarily concerned with

This alternative emphasizes the aspect of being principally or mainly concerned with something.

primarily centered on

This indicates that the main point or activity revolves around a particular subject.

chiefly related to

This alternative stresses that the relationship is primarily connected or associated with the given subject.

fundamentally revolves around

Highlights that something at its core revolves around a central element or concept.

centrally based on

This phrase highlights that something is fundamentally or at its core based on a particular element.

at its heart

This focuses on the most important or essential aspect of something.

largely dependent on

This suggests that the outcome or nature is greatly influenced or determined by a certain factor.

primarily a question of

Highlights that an issue is centrally about a specific question or point.

in essence

This alternative captures the heart or underlying nature of a subject or matter.

FAQs

How can I use "all about" in a sentence?

You can use "all about" to emphasize the main focus or central theme of a topic. For example, "The seminar is "primarily concerned with" sustainable development" or "This strategy is "mainly focused on" improving customer satisfaction".

What phrases are similar to "all about"?

Similar phrases include "primarily concerned with", "mainly focused on", or "centrally based on", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it okay to use "all about" in formal writing?

While acceptable in many contexts, "all about" may sound informal in certain formal settings. Consider using more precise and professional alternatives like "chiefly related to" or "fundamentally revolves around".

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

"About" generally indicates a topic or subject matter, while "all about" emphasizes that something is the primary or most important aspect. Saying "The book is about history" is different from "The book is "largely dependent on" ancient civilizations".