all at once

USAGE SUMMARY

"all at once" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that something happens suddenly or without warning. For example, "We heard a loud crash and all at once the room was filled with smoke."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Don't try all at once.

The New York Times

Then sun — all at once.

The New Yorker

Sometimes all at once.

The New York Times

all at once.

The Guardian - Sport

All at once my irritation passed.

The New Yorker

In many places, all at once.

The New York Times

Dishes tend to arrive all at once.

The New York Times

He had all at once deflated.

The New Yorker

Dangerous and surplus all at once.

Independent

Often, it feels like, all at once.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Earthquakes are those all-at-once releases.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all at once" to effectively describe situations where multiple events occur simultaneously or a sudden change happens, adding emphasis to the unexpected nature of the situation. For example, "The lights went out and all at once, the room was plunged into darkness."

Common error

Avoid using "all at once" to describe gradual or incremental changes. This phrase is best reserved for instances where the change is immediate and unexpected. For example, don't say "The company grew all at once," when the growth happened over several years.

Linguistic Context

The adverbial phrase "all at once" functions primarily as an adverb modifying a verb or clause. It indicates the manner or timing of an action, emphasizing its sudden or simultaneous nature. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

27%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverbial phrase "all at once" is a correct and commonly used expression to describe events that occur suddenly or simultaneously. Ludwig confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various contexts, primarily in News & Media and Wiki sources. While it is crucial to use it appropriately to convey sudden or simultaneous actions rather than gradual processes, its versatility makes it a valuable addition to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

all of a sudden

Directly conveys the unexpected nature of an event or change.

suddenly

Focuses on the abruptness of the event, lacking the connotation of simultaneity.

in a flash

Emphasizes the rapid and brief duration of an event.

abruptly

Focuses on the sudden and unannounced nature of an event.

unexpectedly

Emphasizes the surprise element, but does not necessarily imply that multiple things happened together.

simultaneously

Highlights that multiple events occurred at the same time, without necessarily implying surprise.

at the same time

A more literal way to express simultaneity, often used in less formal contexts.

in unison

Implies coordinated action, where multiple entities act together at the same moment.

instantaneously

Highlights the speed and immediacy of the occurrence, often used in technical contexts.

at one fell swoop

Suggests that something is accomplished quickly and efficiently, often with a sense of finality.

FAQs

What does "all at once" mean?

The phrase "all at once" means suddenly or simultaneously. It's used to describe something that happens quickly and unexpectedly or when multiple things occur at the same time.

How can I use "all at once" in a sentence?

You can use "all at once" to describe a sudden change or simultaneous events. For example, "All at once it came to me" or "All at once, everyone had gone home.

What can I say instead of "all at once"?

You can use alternatives like "suddenly", "unexpectedly", or "simultaneously" depending on the specific context you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "at all once" instead of "all at once"?

No, "at all once" is not a correct or standard English phrase. The correct phrase is "all at once", which means suddenly or simultaneously.