All vs. Everything: Know the Difference

By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023

All refers to the entire quantity or extent of a particular group or thing, while Everything means all things or the totality of things.

Key Differences

All is often used to refer to every part or member of a specific group or category. In contrast, Everything encompasses every existing thing, used more broadly without specifying categories.

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Nov 22, 2023

All can modify a plural noun, as in "all students", indicating every student in a group. Everything is singular and refers to all things collectively, as in "Everything is ready".

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Nov 22, 2023

When using All, it often implies inclusion within a defined boundary or set. On the other hand, Everything suggests a more comprehensive scope without specific boundaries.

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Nov 22, 2023

In certain contexts, All can emphasize the importance of each individual component, like "all the chapters of the book". Everything, however, emphasizes the collective whole, as in "Everything in the universe".

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Nov 22, 2023

All is versatile, used in various grammatical constructions, while Everything is more limited in its use, often standing alone as a subject or object.

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Nov 22, 2023

Comparison Chart

Meaning

Entire quantity or extent of a specific group or category

All things, the totality of things

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Nov 22, 2023

Grammar

Can modify plural nouns, used in various constructions

Singular, often stands alone as a subject or object

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Nov 22, 2023

Scope

Within a defined boundary or set

More comprehensive, without specific boundaries

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Nov 22, 2023

Emphasis

On each component within a group

On the collective whole

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Nov 22, 2023

Usage

Specific and versatile in different contexts

Broad, often used in a more general sense

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Nov 22, 2023

All and Everything Definitions

All

The whole quantity or extent of a particular group.

All the books on the shelf were old.

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Nov 22, 2023

Everything

The whole situation.

After the storm, everything was a mess.

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Nov 22, 2023

All

Every individual or piece of a group.

She ate all the cookies.

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Nov 22, 2023

Everything

The most important aspect.

Honesty is everything in a relationship.

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Nov 22, 2023

All

The whole amount or extent.

All of the area was covered in snow.

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Nov 22, 2023

Everything

The entire state of affairs.

Everything in the garden was blooming.

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Nov 22, 2023

All

Being or representing the entire or total number, amount, or quantity

All the windows are open. Deal all the cards.

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Oct 19, 2023

Everything

All things.

Everything was covered in dust.

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Nov 22, 2023

All

Constituting, being, or representing the total extent or the whole

All Christendom.

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Oct 19, 2023

Everything

All that is relevant.

She told him everything about her day.

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Nov 22, 2023

All

Being the utmost possible of

Argued the case in all seriousness.

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Oct 19, 2023

Everything

(literally) All the things under discussion.

I checked the list again and everything is done.

Thank you for everything you've done for us.

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Oct 19, 2023

All

Every

Got into all manner of trouble.

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Oct 19, 2023

Everything

Many or most things.

I did everything today - washed the dishes, cut the lawn, did the laundry.

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Oct 19, 2023

All

Any whatsoever

Beyond all doubt.

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Oct 19, 2023

Everything

(colloquial) A state of well-being (from all parts of the whole).

She wasn't feeling well this morning but now everything is fine.

Since the company lost its best customer everything has gotten worse.

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Oct 19, 2023

All

(Pennsylvania) Consumed; used up; gone

The apples are all.

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Oct 19, 2023

Everything

(colloquial) Considerable effort.

It took everything in me to resist the temptation to skip work on my birthday.

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Oct 19, 2023

All

(Informal) Being more than one

Who all came to the party? See Note at y'all.

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Oct 19, 2023

Everything

(colloquial) The most important thing.

I can't believe I made it in time - timing is everything!

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Oct 19, 2023

All

The whole of one's fortune, resources, or energy; everything one has

The brave defenders gave their all.

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Oct 19, 2023

Everything

Whatever pertains to the subject under consideration; all things.

More wise, more learned, more just, more everything.

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Oct 19, 2023

All

Wholly; completely

A room painted all white.

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Oct 19, 2023

All

So much

I am all the better for that experience.

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Oct 19, 2023

All

Used as an intensive

Then he got all mad and left.

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Oct 19, 2023

All

Each; apiece

A score of five all.

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Oct 19, 2023

All

Every individual or anything of the given class, with no exceptions (the noun or noun phrase denoting the class must be plural or uncountable).

All contestants must register at the scorer’s table.

All flesh is originally grass.

All my friends like classical music.

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Oct 19, 2023

All

Throughout the whole of (a stated period of time; generally used with units of a day or longer).

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Oct 19, 2023

All

Only; alone; nothing but.

He's all talk; he never puts his ideas into practice.

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Oct 19, 2023

All

(obsolete) Any.

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Oct 19, 2023

All

Everything.

Some gave all they had.

She knows all and sees all.

Those who think they know it all are annoying to those of us who do.

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Oct 19, 2023

All

Everyone.

A good time was had by all.

We all enjoyed the movie.

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Oct 19, 2023

All

The only thing(s).

All that was left was a small pile of ash.

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Oct 19, 2023

All

Used after what, where, how and similar words, either without changing their meaning, or indicating that one expects that they cover more than one element, e.g. that "who all attended" is more than one person.}} Some dialects only allow this to follow some words and not others.

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Oct 19, 2023

All

Wholly; entirely; completely; totally.

She was sitting all alone. It suddenly went all quiet.

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Oct 19, 2023

All

Apiece; each.

The score was 30 all when the rain delay started.

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Oct 19, 2023

All

(degree) So much.

Don't want to go? All the better since I lost the tickets.

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Oct 19, 2023

All

Even; just.

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Oct 19, 2023

All

A quotative particle, compare like.

She was all, “Whatever.”

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Oct 19, 2023

All

(with a possessive pronoun) Everything that one is capable of.

She gave her all, and collapsed at the finish line.

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Oct 19, 2023

All

(countable) The totality of one's possessions.

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Oct 19, 2023

All

(obsolete) Although.

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Oct 19, 2023

All

All gone; dead.

The butter is all.

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Oct 19, 2023

All

The whole quantity, extent, duration, amount, quality, or degree of; the whole; the whole number of; any whatever; every; as, all the wheat; all the land; all the year; all the strength; all happiness; all abundance; loss of all power; beyond all doubt; you will see us all (or all of us).

Prove all things: hold fast that which is good.

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Oct 19, 2023

All

Any.

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Oct 19, 2023

All

Only; alone; nothing but.

I was born to speak all mirth and no matter.

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Oct 19, 2023

All

Wholly; completely; altogether; entirely; quite; very; as, all bedewed; my friend is all for amusement.

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Oct 19, 2023

All

Even; just. (Often a mere intensive adjunct.

All as his straying flock he fed.

A damsel lay deploringAll on a rock reclined.

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Oct 19, 2023

All

The whole number, quantity, or amount; the entire thing; everything included or concerned; the aggregate; the whole; totality; everything or every person; as, our all is at stake.

Death, as the Psalmist saith, is certain to all.

All that thou seest is mine.

Thou shalt be all in all, and I in thee,Forever.

Trust me not at all, or all in all.

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Oct 19, 2023

All

Although; albeit.

All they were wondrous loth.

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Oct 19, 2023

All

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

Have some milk

Some roses were still blooming

Having some friends over

Some apples

Some paper

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Oct 19, 2023

All

Completely given to or absorbed by;

Became all attention

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Oct 19, 2023

All

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

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Oct 19, 2023

All

Entirely; completely.

The room was all clean.

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Nov 22, 2023

All

The only thing.

Winning was all he cared about.

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Nov 22, 2023

Repeatedly Asked Queries

Can 'all' refer to time?

Yes, as in "all day".

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Nov 22, 2023

Is 'all' inclusive?

Yes, it includes every part or member of a group.

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Nov 22, 2023

Can 'all' be used with uncountable nouns?

Yes, like "all water".

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Nov 22, 2023

Is 'everything' always singular?

Yes, it's treated as a singular noun.

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Nov 22, 2023

Can 'everything' mean 'the most important thing'?

Yes, in contexts like "Trust is everything".

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Nov 22, 2023

Is 'all' used in formal writing?

Yes, it's common in both formal and informal contexts.

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Nov 22, 2023

Does 'everything' have synonyms?

Yes, like 'the whole lot' or 'everything possible'.

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Nov 22, 2023

Can 'everything' be used to refer to a specific set of things?

Typically, it refers to a general totality.

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Nov 22, 2023

Does 'everything' include people?

Generally, it refers to things, but can include people in a broad sense.

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Nov 22, 2023

Is 'all' used in questions?

Yes, like "Did you eat all the cookies?"

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Nov 22, 2023

Is 'all' used in expressions of time?

Yes, like "all night long".

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Nov 22, 2023

Can 'everything' be quantified?

No, it’s a qualitative term.

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Nov 22, 2023

Does 'all' have a plural form?

No, 'all' is both singular and plural.

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Nov 22, 2023

Is 'all' used in mathematical contexts?

Yes, as in "all of the variables".

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Nov 22, 2023

Can 'all' stand alone?

Yes, but it usually accompanies a noun or pronoun.

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Nov 22, 2023

Can 'all' imply completeness?

Yes, like "all finished".

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Nov 22, 2023

Does 'everything' always imply a large scope?

Usually, it implies a broad or comprehensive scope.

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Nov 22, 2023

Can 'everything' be used metaphorically?

Yes, as in "She is my everything".

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Nov 22, 2023

Can 'everything' be used in exaggeration?

Yes, it's often used for emphasis.

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Nov 22, 2023

Is 'everything' used in idioms?

Yes, like "everything under the sun".

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Nov 22, 2023

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Written by

Shumaila Saeed

Shumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.