all the folks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "all the folks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in informal contexts to refer to a group of people, often in a friendly or familiar manner. Example: "I want to thank all the folks who helped organize the event; your hard work made it a success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I have one message for all the folks that were our 'tax families' and all the folks from around the country," the president said.

The New York Times

After all, the folks at NSA and other intelligence agencies are our neighbors and our friends.

The Guardian

"Bob Greenblatt and all the folks at the network have given me a warm welcome home, and I'm excited to get to work".

The New York Times - Arts

Nor the sense of having served in a democratic war that every young man fought in and all the folks at home supported.

The New York Times

"Lance and all the folks involved are looking into it and will for sure get it under control," Mr. Higgins wrote.

The New York Times

At Barksdale Air Force Base, he offered "thanks for all the folks who have been fighting hard to rescue our fellow citizens".

The New York Times

"Growing up in Texas and working the clubs there, all the folks would come out and see me, and they seemed to like my singing well enough.

The Guardian - Music

"It's great to be back, and we want to express our gratitude to all the folks on the ground who made that mission pull off like it did".

The New York Times

Of course all the folks out there who have been pushing the mistaken view that we have all the clean technologies we need, will hail this as the right direction.

The New York Times

But there is one story that Plump, the inspiration for the "Hoosiers" star player Jimmy Chitwood, wants to get straight for all the folks due to pour into town this week for the Final Four.

The New York Times - Sports

PIPER THEATER You have to believe they are magic; after all, the folks at Piper are most likely the only ones with a cast working outdoors on roller skates this summer.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all the folks" in informal and friendly contexts to create a welcoming tone. Avoid in formal or professional settings where more precise language is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "all the folks" in formal business correspondence or academic papers. Opt for alternatives like "all the people" or "everyone" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "all the folks" is as a determiner phrase functioning as a pre-modifier to a noun, specifying a group of people. It acts as a collective noun phrase. Ludwig confirms this common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "all the folks" is a grammatically sound phrase used to refer to a group of people in an informal and friendly way. According to Ludwig, it's commonly found in News & Media contexts. While acceptable in casual settings, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives like "everyone" or "all the people" in professional or academic environments. Understanding the appropriate context ensures effective communication and maintains the desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

everyone

A more general term, suitable for formal contexts as well.

everybody

An informal synonym for "everyone".

all the people

A more formal and direct alternative.

the community

Emphasizes a sense of belonging and shared identity.

the group

Suitable when referring to a specific collection of individuals.

the crowd

Implies a larger, less defined gathering.

the attendees

Specifically refers to people present at an event.

the participants

Highlights those actively involved in something.

the members

Refers to individuals belonging to a particular organization or group.

the public

Refers to people in general.

FAQs

How can I use "all the folks" in a sentence?

You can use "all the folks" in a sentence to refer to a group of people, for example: "I'd like to thank "all the folks" who came to the party."

What are some alternatives to "all the folks"?

Some alternatives to "all the folks" include "everyone", "all the people", or "everybody", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "all the folks" in a formal setting?

While grammatically correct, "all the folks" is generally considered informal. In formal settings, it's best to use alternatives like "all the people" or "everyone".

What's the difference between "all the folks" and "all the people"?

"All the folks" carries a more casual and friendly connotation, while "all the people" is a more neutral and formal way to refer to a group of individuals.