all of them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "all of them" is correct and can be used in written English.
You might use it as part of a simple sentence like, "I read all of them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Backpfeifengesichts, all of them.

Independent

("Well, all of them").

The New York Times

"Not all of them.

The New Yorker

AGR: All of them.

The New Yorker

All of them really.

The New Yorker

All of them.

The New York Times

All of them were.

The New York Times

"All of them defected".

The New York Times

"All of them identical.

The New Yorker

"All of them disappeared".

The New York Times

All of them died.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context clearly defines the group to which "all of them" refers to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of just saying "All of them agreed", specify "All of the committee members agreed."

Common error

Avoid using "all of them" when the antecedent is not immediately clear to the reader. Vague references can confuse the audience and weaken your message. Always ensure the noun that "them" refers to is explicitly stated or easily inferred from the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all of them" functions as a pronoun phrase, substituting a noun phrase to refer to a previously identified group. Ludwig shows many examples of this usage across various sources. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

14%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "all of them" is a grammatically sound and commonly used pronoun phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, its purpose is to indicate a complete inclusion of every member within a specified group. While versatile, ensuring a clear reference for "them" and choosing alternatives like "every one of them" for formal contexts can greatly enhance writing precision. With its high frequency across diverse sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, mastering this phrase elevates overall communication skills.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

every one of them

Emphasizes individual inclusion within the group.

each of them

Highlights individual consideration.

the entirety of them

Focuses on the complete collection.

the sum of them

Stresses the collective whole.

they all

Inverts the structure for a more casual tone.

without exception

Highlights the lack of exclusions.

in totality

Emphasizes the complete number or amount.

collectively

Refers to the group as a single entity.

taken together

Highlights consideration as a combined unit.

universally

Emphasizes a widespread or general inclusion.

FAQs

How do I use "all of them" in a sentence?

Use "all of them" to refer to every member of a previously mentioned group. For example, "The books were on the shelf; I read "all of them"."

What's a more formal way to say "all of them"?

In formal contexts, you can use phrases like "every one of them" or "each of them". These alternatives provide a more precise and emphatic tone while retaining the meaning of "all of them".

Is it ever incorrect to use "all of them"?

While grammatically correct, "all of them" can be inappropriate if the reference is unclear. To avoid ambiguity, make sure it's immediately apparent what "them" refers to.

What's the difference between "all of them" and "each of them"?

"All of them" refers to a group as a whole, whereas "each of them" emphasizes the individual members within that group. For example, "All of them enjoyed the concert" suggests a collective enjoyment, while "Each of them enjoyed the concert" highlights individual experiences.