all-encompassing

USAGE SUMMARY

'all-encompassing' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that includes everything, or covers a wide range of topics and ideas. For example: His paintings demonstrate an all-encompassing knowledge of color and design.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Certainly the players' gloom was all-encompassing.

The New York Times - Sports

The obsession with speed was all-encompassing.

The New Yorker

Her will to be known was all-encompassing.

The New Yorker

Taymor's uncompromising, all-encompassing theatrical vision has come under scrutiny.

The Guardian

But its political ramifications have been all-encompassing.

The Guardian - Opinion

Struggling to start a small business is all-encompassing.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

All encompassing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The world of Armani is all encompassing.

The New York Times

"His gardens are all encompassing".

The New York Times

The changes are so all encompassing now.

The Guardian

That's provided that the illusion is all encompassing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all-encompassing" to emphasize the completeness or universality of something, such as a plan, theory, or approach. It adds a sense of thoroughness and broad coverage.

Common error

Avoid using "all-encompassing" when a simpler word like "comprehensive" or "complete" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "all-encompassing" is as an adjective. It modifies a noun to indicate that the noun covers a wide range or includes everything. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correct and usable word, and its examples show it describing things like visions, theatrical productions, and strategies.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "all-encompassing" functions as an adjective, denoting completeness and universality. Ludwig AI validates it as correct and usable, with examples spanning news, business, and scientific domains. Its frequency is common, and it’s best used to emphasize the breadth of something, avoiding overuse in simple contexts. Alternatives include "comprehensive" and "inclusive". When using "all-encompassing", remember that it effectively communicates a sense of thoroughness and wide coverage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comprehensive

This adjective describes something that includes all or nearly all elements or aspects of something.

inclusive

Signifies encompassing a wide variety of elements or constituents.

universal

Denotes something that applies to or affects all things or people in the world or in a particular group.

exhaustive

Suggests a thorough and complete examination or coverage of a topic.

complete

Implies that something has all the necessary parts or elements.

thorough

Indicates a detailed and careful approach, ensuring nothing is missed.

wide-ranging

Describes something that covers a large scope or variety of subjects.

blanket

Refers to something that covers or includes everything without exception.

across-the-board

Indicates that something applies to everyone or everything in a particular group or situation.

sweeping

Suggests a broad and extensive effect or scope.

FAQs

How can I use "all-encompassing" in a sentence?

You can use "all-encompassing" to describe something that includes or affects everything. For example, "The company developed an all-encompassing strategy to improve its market share."

What are some alternatives to "all-encompassing"?

Alternatives to "all-encompassing" include "comprehensive", "inclusive", or "universal" depending on the specific context.

Is "all encompassing" or "all-encompassing" correct?

"All-encompassing" is the correct spelling and usage. "All encompassing" is less common and can be seen as a spelling mistake in most cases.

What's the difference between "comprehensive" and "all-encompassing"?

While both words suggest thoroughness, "all-encompassing" implies a greater degree of completeness and universality than "comprehensive". "All-encompassing" suggests that virtually nothing is excluded.