all

/ɔ:l/

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The word "all" is an important and versatile word in English. Let’s break it down simply for you.

Definition:

1. As an Adjective: "All" means the whole number or amount of something. It refers to every one of a group or class. For example, if you say "all the apples," you mean every single apple, not just some.

2. As an Adverb: "All" can also describe something to a complete degree. For example, if someone is "all right," it means they are completely okay.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "all" when you want to talk about the entire quantity of something.
• It can be used with both countable nouns (like "apples") and uncountable nouns (like "water").

Examples:

• Adjective: "We sat up all night." (This means you did not sleep at all.)
• Adverb: "She was all excited about the trip." (This means she was completely excited.)

Advanced Usage:

• "All" can be used in expressions like “all of” to emphasize the totality:
  • "All of the students passed the exam."
• It can also appear in phrases like “all the time” (meaning continuously) or “all of a sudden” (meaning unexpectedly).

Variants:

• All can change form in phrases like “all-inclusive,” which means everything is included.
• In some contexts, it can be combined with other words, like "all-knowing" (meaning having complete knowledge).

Different Meanings:

• "All" can sometimes mean "entirely" or "completely," as in "I’m all in," meaning fully committed to something.
• It can also express a sense of fairness or inclusiveness, as in "All are welcome," meaning everyone is invited.

Synonyms:

• Entire
• Whole
• Every
• Total
• Complete

Idioms:

• "All in all" means considering everything; when you look at the whole situation.
• "All ears" means to be fully listening or paying attention.

Phrasal Verbs:

While "all" itself is not typically used in phrasal verbs, it can form part of phrases like: - "All out" (meaning to do something with maximum effort). - "All set" (meaning ready).

Summary:

The word "all" is a powerful term that helps express totality, completeness, or entirety in both writing and speaking.

Academic

Adjective

1. completely given to or absorbed by
   • became all attention
2. quantifier; used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
   • we sat up all night
   • ate all the food
   • all men are mortal
   • all parties are welcome

Adverb

1. to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (`whole' is often used informally for `wholly')
   • he was wholly convinced
   • entirely satisfied with the meal
   • it was completely different from what we expected
   • was completely at fault
   • a totally new situation
   • the directions were all wrong
   • it was not altogether her fault
   • an altogether new approach
   • a whole new idea

Synonyms

• all
• wholly
• entirely
• completely
• totally
• altogether
• whole