What is all? Pronunciation and usage in English

all means . Learn how to pronounce and use all through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of all

allpredeterminer

/ɔːl/
Definition & pronunciation of all

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "all" in English. It's a tricky one because it's not always pronounced the same way! Here's a breakdown of the two main pronunciations and how to do them:

1. The "Short All" (Most Common)

  • Pronunciation: /ɔːl/ (pronounced like "awl")
  • How to say it:
    • "aw" – Think of the sound you make when saying "law" or "saw". It's a rounded vowel sound.
    • "l" – A regular "l" sound (like in "light").
  • Example: "I have all the books." (pronounced "I hav awl the bukz")

2. The "Long All" (Less Common, More Formal)

  • Pronunciation: /æl/ (pronounced like "ell")
  • How to say it:
    • "eh" – A short "e" sound, like in "bed" or "let".
    • "l" – A regular "l" sound (like in "light").
  • Example: This pronunciation is more likely to be heard in more formal speech or writing, and perhaps in certain regional dialects, like British English.. "All of the students passed." (pronounced "All of the stoo-dents passed")

Here's a quick way to tell the difference:

  • Short "all" (/ɔːl/) – It often appears in informal speech, and sometimes after words like "every" or "each."
  • Long "all" (/æl/) – It’s more common in standard or formal speech, but can sound slightly pretentious if overused.

Resources to Hear the Pronunciation:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from (country/region)? Pronunciation can vary by location.

Usage and examples with the word all in English

Let's break down how to use the word "all" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with many different roles! Here's a detailed explanation, categorized for clarity:

1. As a Determiner (Quantifier - Meaning "Every" or "Each")

  • Meaning: This is perhaps the most common usage. It refers to every or each member of a group.
  • Examples:
    • "All students must be present for the exam." (Every student)
    • "All the books on the shelf are mine." (Each book)
    • "I've eaten all the cookies." (Every cookie)
    • "All cars need regular maintenance." (Every car)

2. As an Intensifier (Meaning "Completely" or "Entirely")

  • Meaning: Used to emphasize that something is total, complete, or fully.
  • Examples:
    • "I'm all done with my homework!" (Finished completely)
    • "I'm all excited about the trip." (Very excited)
    • "He's all yours." (Completely yours – often used in farewells)
    • "She’s all heart." (Very kind/generous – often used as an idiom)

3. At the End of a Sentence (Often Indicates Emphasis or a General Statement)

  • Meaning: This is a common construction, especially in informal English. It suggests a general statement about a group or situation. It often feels a little more emphatic or conversational.
  • Examples:
    • "Let’s go to the park, all." (Let's go to the park - a general suggestion)
    • "I've told you all before!" (I've told you everything before - emphasizing a repeated explanation)
    • "He’s a good man, all." (He's a good man - a general assessment)
    • "That’s a good idea, all." (That’s a good idea – expressing general agreement)

4. Referring to a Group as a Whole

  • Meaning: Used to represent the entirety of a group. It's similar to "the whole."
  • Examples:
    • “All the team worked hard.” (The entire team)
    • “All the participants will receive a certificate.” (Every participant)
    • "All of my friends are coming." (Every single friend)

5. With "Of" – Construct "All of"

  • Meaning: Often combined with "of" to be more specific and formal.
  • Examples:
    • "All of the students passed the test." (Every single student)
    • "All of my money was spent." (Every single dollar)
    • "All of the details were carefully considered." (Every single detail)

Important Considerations and Common Mistakes:

  • "Everyone" vs. "All": "Everyone" refers to each individual within a group. "All" refers to the entire group as a whole. For example: "Everyone is invited," vs. "All the guests are welcome."
  • "Everything" vs. "All": Similar to above. "Everything" refers to each individual thing, while "all" refers to the entire collection.
  • "All" vs. "Every": “Every” is generally more formal and emphasizes individual members of a group. "All” is more common and versatile.
  • Contractions: “All” can become “all of” or “all the” in contractions (e.g., “all of you,” “all the time”).

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What specifically are you struggling with when using "all"? (e.g., distinguishing it from “every,” understanding its intensifier role, etc.)
  • Can you give me an example sentence you’re unsure about?

Synonyms for the word all

Idioms of the word all

and all that (jazz, rubbish, stuff, etc.)
(informal)and other similar things
  • I'm bored by history—dates and battles and all that stuff.
for all
despite
  • For all its clarity of style, the book is not easy reading.
used to say that something is not important or of no interest or value to you/somebody
  • For all I know she's still living in Boston.
  • You can do what you like, for all I care.
  • For all the good it's done we might as well not have bothered.
not all that good, well, etc.
not particularly good, well, etc.
  • He doesn't sing all that well.
not as bad(ly), etc. as all that
not as much as has been suggested
  • They're not as rich as all that.
  • We didn't play particularly well, but we didn't do as badly as all that.
of all the…
(informal)used to express anger
  • I've locked myself out. Of all the stupid things to do!
of all people, things, etc.
(informal)used to express surprise because somebody/something seems the least likely person, example, etc.
  • I didn't think you, of all people, would become a vegetarian.
on/from all sides | on/from every side
in or from all directions; everywhere
  • We realized we were surrounded on all sides.
  • Disaster threatens on every side.
  • She was bombarded with questions from all sides.

Practice with vocabulary all

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. She collected _____ the books from the library before the semester started.
  2. Not _____ the proposals were accepted, as some lacked sufficient detail.
  3. The team worked tirelessly to ensure _____ the deadlines were met.
  4. He tried to include _____ of the stakeholders in the decision-making process, but some were unavailable.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which word best completes the sentence: "_____ the participants agreed on the new policy."
    a) All
    b) Every
    c) Each
    d) Whole

  2. Select the correct option(s): "The manager reviewed _____ the reports before the meeting."
    a) All
    b) Entire
    c) None
    d) Few

  3. Choose the appropriate word: "_____ the equipment was inspected for safety."
    a) All
    b) Any
    c) Most
    d) Several

  4. Which word fits best: "She spent _____ her savings on the project."
    a) All
    b) Every
    c) Some
    d) Much

  5. Pick the right answer: "_____ the employees must submit their feedback by Friday."
    a) All
    b) Each
    c) Every
    d) Both

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: Every single member of the team completed the task.
    Rewrite: _____

  2. Original: The entire set of documents was reviewed by the committee.
    Rewrite: _____

  3. Original: All the students passed the exam.
    Rewrite: _____

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. all
  2. all
  3. all
  4. all

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. a) All
  2. a) All
  3. a) All
  4. a) All
  5. a) All

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. All members of the team completed the task.
  2. All the documents were reviewed by the committee.
  3. Every student passed the exam.

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