Whether you are a native English speaker or a learner, using the correct grammar is essential for effective communication.
For this, you need to know the proper meaning of commonly confused terms and words.
Moreover, just understanding the meaning and context behind certain confusing words can actually switch you from a novice to a pro English speaker.
For instance, do you know the difference between “All is” and “All are”?
Apparently, you might think, yes. But you’ll be surprised to know how much these phrases are misused in everyday conversations.
Even though the terms sound similar, they have different meanings and refer to different contexts. So, naturally, you can’t use them interchangeably in your sentences.
To ensure that you are correctly using them, you should have a clear idea of “All is” vs “All are”.
But don’t worry, you don’t need to enroll in any top-notch institution to learn their differences. Your grammar buddy has got your back.
Today, I have brought you the key differences between “All is” and “All are”. From their different meanings to usage, you will find everything right here.
So, what’s the wait for, little Shakespeare? Keep reading to learn more!
All Is Vs All Are: Key Differences
Here is a brief version of “All is” vs “All are”, highlighting their key differences.
| All Is | All Are |
|---|---|
| It is used when referring to a singular form of a noun. | It is used when referring to a plural form of a noun. |
| The singular noun can be one person or thing, or one group of things or persons. | The plural noun should consist of more than one person, thing, or group of something. |
| Pronunciation: ôl iz | Pronunciation: ôl är |
| Example: All is well in Spain. | Example: All are welcome to the team. |
What Is The Meaning Of “All Is”?
To know when to use “All is” in the correct sense, you need to have a clear understanding of the subject-verb agreement in English grammar.
Based on the number of subjects— singular or plural— you can decide whether to put “is” or “are” next to “all”. This way, the verb will be in agreement with the subject.
Definition
Before delving into the exact definition of “All is”, let’s break the phrase down and understand the word meanings separately.
For instance, “All” refers to everything or everyone as a whole. It can be used in a variety of ways— adjective, adverb, noun, and pronoun.
Moreover, “Is” is a be-verb that is used to refer to a singular form of a noun in the third person.
So, when combined together, “All is” refers to something or someone that is a singular noun form in the third person.
Usage
The term “All is” is generally used to refer to singular nouns and collective groups with a single concept, situation, or context.
So, you can use “All” as a determiner to refer to the singular entity without dividing it into individual items.
Synonyms
Some synonymous phrases that also refer to singular nouns like “All is” are:
- Everything is: It is used to refer to the collective whole concept of the singular thing, without referring to individual things.
- Everyone is: It is used to refer to a group of people who share a similar concept or situation.
Examples Of “All Is” In Sentences
Here are some examples of “All is” used in various sentences.
- All is unknown right now.
- I have read Janice’s party invitation, and she didn’t mention that all is invited.
- If all is not going according to plan, do let me know.
- All is right with your essay.
- She has no music preference; all is okay with her.
What Is The Meaning Of “All Are”?
Just like “All is”, you need to understand the number of the subject to make the verb agree with in “All are”. So, again, you need an idea of the subject-verb agreement.
Definition
As we have already looked into the detailed meaning of “All”, let’s start with the other half of the phrase. Here, “Are” is a be-verb that refers to a plural noun in the second person.
So, when combined together, “All are” refers to something or someone that is a plural entity in the second person.
Moreover, the term individually refers to the separate elements of the plural noun.
Usage
Mainly, “All are” is used to refer to countable items in the second person.
So, in a general sense, you can use “All are” when you are referring to individuals in a plural subject— a group of things or people.
Synonyms
Some other terms that also refer to the plural nouns, just like “All are”, include:
- They are: It is used to refer to third-person plural things and persons separately.
- We are: It is used to refer to first-person plural persons separately.
Examples Of “All Is” In Sentences
Here are some examples of using “All are” in various sentences.
- All are welcome to the cultural event.
- Have you read the works of Ishiguro? All are best-sellers right now.
- I have invited everyone from your office, and all are coming to the party.
- All are cordially invited to join us for the product launch event.
- The students are late. So, all are running to the classroom.
How To Avoid Common Mistakes When Using “All Is” vs “All Are”?
With a clear understanding of the underlying concept behind “All is” and “All are”, you can avoid making mistakes with their usage.
However, if you want to efficiently identify when to use the right one in your sentences, here are some ways.
For instance, analyze whether the noun of the subject is in a singular context or plural. Based on that, you can decide which one is better for the sentences.
Moreover, check if the noun is countable or uncountable. In case of uncountable, it will be considered as a singular whole concept. So, choose the terms accordingly.
Tips To Perfectly Use Both “All Is” And “All Are”
Now that you have a complete idea of the differences between “All is” vs “All are”, you can use them discreetly.
However, to ensure that you are using them in the perfect sense, here are some tips. Keep these in mind while deciding which one to use in your conversation.
Firstly, check whether the noun it is referring to is plural or singular. Based on that, you can use the one that is right and makes sense.
Secondly, identify how “All” is being used— determiner or pronoun. If it is a determiner, check the countable number of the noun.
And, if it is a pronoun, then check the overall subject’s countable number that it is referring to. So, accordingly, you can choose between the two terms.
Furthermore, ensure that the be-verb next to “All” is in agreement with the subject of the sentence. This way, you can perfectly use the terms in your conversations, and transform your noob English into pro level!
LEARN MORE:
- Better Late Than Never: How To Correctly Use This English Idiom?
- Semi-Weekly Vs Bi-Weekly: Which One To Use In Your Sentences?
- Is “Theirselves” A Correct Word? A Commonly Misspelled Word Of “Themselves”
