all
The word “all” usually refers to 100% of something. It’s everything and everyone.
- We ate all of the rice.
- All of the students are working on an assignment.
- We all agree on what to do.
- We’re all in agreement.
- Is that all?
They’re all wearing the same uniform.
a. all = 100%
When talking about a situation that involves an entire group or a very large part of the group, you can use “all.”
- All of the workers lost their jobs.
- That man lost all of his teeth.
- We need to make sure all of the children are safe.
- What happened to all of the bread? It’s gone.
- All people want to live in peace. (This is an exaggeration.)
- Airlines prohibit all guns from being carried onto airplanes.
a. all
- All of the riders must remain seated during the ride.
- All of the vegetables sold in this store are organic.
b. not + all = not all
To say that there is less than 100% of something, just use the word “not” in front of “all.”
- Not all of the students turned in their assignments.
- Not all of the pizza was eaten.
- Not all cars need drivers nowadays.
- Not all Americans think the same way about politics.
- That’s not all I think about.
- Money is not all that they need right now.
b. not + all = not all
- Not all of the people in Paris were happy about the Olympic games being held there.
- Not all of the masks worn during the pandemic were effective.
c. expressions that include "all"
There are many, many expressions that use this word.
- I’m all for it. (I support this idea.)
- I’m all in. (You have my full support.)
- Is that all? (Is there anything else?)
- It’s all good. (Don’t worry about it.)
- All right, all right, all right. (Matthew McConaughey popularized this expression. It just means everything is good.)
- She thinks she’s all that. (all that = extremely attractive and/or talented, smart, skilled, etc.)
- Hey y’all. (Hello everyone. This is a popular greeting in some areas of the United States.
- Y’all know what I’m talking about? (Y’all – all of you. If you are not a native speaker, I do not recommend this sort of contraction. It will sound artificial. However, you have to recognize it when you hear it.)
c. expressions that include "all"
- A: I’m sorry, I can’t make the meeting next week.
- B: It’s all good. We can just reschedule.