all of the foregoing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "all of the foregoing" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to everything that has been mentioned or discussed previously in a document or conversation. Example: "Based on all of the foregoing, we have decided to proceed with the project as planned."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

"All of the foregoing are subject to interpretation," he said.

The New York Times

All of the foregoing represented Delaware in the U.S. Senate.

Encyclopedia Britannica

All of the foregoing culminates in the title essay, Baldwin's declaration of independence.

The Guardian - Books

So a truly progressive Conservatism must offer an alternative to all of the foregoing.

The Guardian - Opinion

All of the foregoing led us to the decision that we could not participate, and we were joined in the boycott by more than 50 countries.

The New York Times

All of the foregoing is lovingly documented in two stylish books commissioned or produced by the Boston Symphony for the hall's centenary: "The Making of Symphony Hall, Boston," by Richard Poate Stebbins, and "Symphony Hall: The First 100 Years".

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Indeed how can any of the foregoing be objectionable?

The Guardian - Opinion

"In view of all the foregoing, it simply defies credibility and reason to suggest that Sen. Klein would have, in full view of both his longtime girlfriend, numerous staff members, and in the middle of a very visible and public street, assault Ms. Vladimir [sic], as her allegation inaccurately suggest," Zweig's statement said.

Huffington Post

Differences in the frequency and temporal expression of chromosomal instability depend on all three of the foregoing factors.

Advances in Space Research

Moreover, and importantly, all three of the foregoing values statistically differ from that of the other parent.

BMC Biology

All the foregoing, of course, assumes that the course has been approved by your board of education.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all of the foregoing" to clearly and concisely refer back to a series of points or arguments already presented in your writing. This avoids repetition and maintains a smooth flow.

Common error

Avoid using "all of the foregoing" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or pretentious in settings where simpler alternatives like "all of the above" or "everything I said" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all of the foregoing" functions as a determiner phrase pointing back to previously stated information. As confirmed by Ludwig, it efficiently refers to earlier points to avoid redundancy.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "all of the foregoing" is a useful tool for referring to previously mentioned information in a concise and formal manner. Ludwig confirms that its grammatical status is correct and that it's commonly used across various domains such as News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. While effective for formal writing, it should be avoided in casual contexts where simpler alternatives are more appropriate. Remember to use it to enhance clarity and coherence in your writing, while being mindful of the register and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

all of the preceding

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the sequential aspect.

all of the above

This alternative is shorter and more informal.

all that has been mentioned

This alternative uses a more verbose construction.

everything stated above

This alternative is direct and emphasizes the location of the referenced information.

the aforementioned

This alternative is more concise and formal, suitable for legal or technical writing.

in light of the above

This alternative emphasizes the context or reason for considering the previous information.

given the above

This alternative sets a condition based on the previous information.

taking into account the above

This alternative emphasizes a deliberative process.

all things considered

This alternative implies a concluding thought, and is not interchangeable in all contexts.

considering all of this

This alternative is more conversational and less formal.

FAQs

What does "all of the foregoing" mean?

The phrase "all of the foregoing" is a formal way to refer to everything that has been mentioned previously in a discussion or document. It's similar to saying "all of the above" but is often used in more formal contexts.

When should I use "all of the foregoing"?

Use "all of the foregoing" in formal writing, legal documents, or academic papers when you need to refer back to a list of items or arguments that have already been presented. It helps to avoid repetition and maintain clarity.

What can I say instead of "all of the foregoing"?

You can use alternatives like "all of the above", "all of the preceding", or "the aforementioned" depending on the context and level of formality you want to achieve.

Is "all of the foregoing" the same as "all of the following"?

No, "all of the foregoing" refers to what has already been stated, while "all of the following" refers to what will be stated next. They have opposite directions in terms of referencing information.