all over

USAGE SUMMARY

"all over" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean that something has been done or has happened everywhere or in all parts of a place. For example: "The news of his success spread all over town."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

All over!

The New York Times

"All over," he said.

The New York Times - Travel

It's 1992 all over again.

Independent

It's all over".

The New Yorker

Learn all over again.

WikiHow

I'm certainly all over it".

The New York Times

Chafed all over.

The New Yorker

Well, that's all over.

The New York Times

"Action all over.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

It's all over-diagnosis.

The New Yorker

"We're all over-stimulated.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "all over" to mean 'finished', ensure the context is clear, for example, "It's all over now."

Common error

Avoid using "all over" when you only mean 'in a specific area'. Instead of saying "The problems are all over the city", if the issues are only in one district, be specific: "The problems are concentrated in the downtown district".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all over" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase or an adverbial phrase, depending on the context. As a prepositional phrase, it indicates location or coverage (e.g., "paint all over the floor"). As an adverbial phrase, it modifies a verb, indicating completeness or finality (e.g., "It's all over"). Ludwig AI confirms its varied usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

8.3%

Less common in

Science

8.3%

Encyclopedias

6.7%

Social Media

6.7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "all over" is a versatile phrase that can function as either a prepositional or adverbial phrase. As highlighted by Ludwig, its primary uses involve indicating thorough coverage, spatial distribution, or the completion of an event. While generally considered grammatically correct and suitable for neutral registers, it's essential to be precise when describing the scope of coverage to avoid ambiguity. Ludwig AI’s analysis alongside the examples suggests that "all over" is common in news, media, and general writing contexts, making it a useful phrase to understand and employ effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

everywhere

Focuses on the location aspect, implying presence in multiple places rather than complete coverage.

throughout

Emphasizes distribution across an entire area or time period.

completely

Highlights the thoroughness or extent of an action or state.

finished

Indicates that something is concluded or done.

across the board

Suggests a uniform application or effect to all members of a group or system.

from start to finish

Implies entirety of an action.

in every aspect

Focuses on considering all elements and details, rather than physical location or coverage.

to completion

Emphasizes the action of finishing

in all places

Focuses on the plurality of location

at every point

Highlights the lack of exception

FAQs

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

You can use "all over" to describe something that covers an entire surface or area, as in "The dog tracked mud "all over" the house". It can also mean something is finished, such as "The game is "all over"".

What does "all over" mean when referring to a person?

When used about a person, "all over" can mean someone is very enthusiastic or attentive, or that they have traveled extensively. For example, "She's "all over" the project details", or "He's been "all over" the world".

What are some synonyms for "all over" when indicating coverage?

Synonyms include "everywhere", "throughout", or "completely". Depending on the context, you might also use "across the board" or "in every part".

Is it correct to say "it's all over with" instead of "it's all over"?

While "it's "all over"" is more common and concise, "it's "all over with"" isn't incorrect, but it can sound slightly redundant. The simpler form is generally preferred for its clarity.