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all: introduction

Three or more items​

All refers to three or more items. Compare:

  • I’ll take all three shirts, please.
  • I’ll take both shirts. (not … all two shirts.)

all (of) with noun phrases and pronouns​

All modifies noun phrases or pronouns.

  • All (of) the people were singing.
  • I haven’t read all of it.
  • Give my love to them all.
note

For details of word order, and the use of all of, (see here).

With the subject or the verb​

When all modifies the subject, it can go either with the subject or with the verb.

  • All the people were singing.
  • The people were all singing.
note

For more examples, (see here).

all without a noun​

All can sometimes be used without a noun to mean ‘everything’ but only in certain structures (see here).

  • All that matters is to be happy.
  • That’s all.

all with adjectives, adverbs, etc: all alone​

All can be used to emphasise some adjectives, prepositions and adverbs.

  • You’re all wet.
  • I was all alone.
  • It’s all because of you.
  • She walked all round the town.
  • Tell me all about your plans.
  • I looked all round, but I couldn’t see anything.
note

All, both and half follow similar grammar rules. For both, (see here); for half, (see here).