Language Research

all · determiner

/ɔːl/Full view

all (EVERY ONE)

A1 every person or thing in a group

Dictionary examples:

I've seen all of his movies.

All of us had left by midnight.

She's got four children, all under the age of five.

"Which of his books did you like best?" "I loved them all."

Learner example:

I hope you are all well. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Turkish)

all (WHOLE TIME)

A1 the whole of a period of time

Dictionary examples:

I've been studying all day.

It rained all week.

I've been waiting all afternoon for him to call.

Learner example:

I spent all day [at the] beach. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; French)

all (WHOLE AMOUNT)

A2 the whole amount of something

Dictionary examples:

I've spent all my money.

Did you drink all the juice?

By morning, all the snow had gone.

Learner example:

I have left my purse at your home. I have all my money in it. (Key English Test; A2; Assamese)

all sorts of sth

A2 many different types of something

Dictionary examples:

They had all sorts of jewelry for sale.

We saw all sorts of animals in the park.

Learner example:

I like all sorts of music but I prefer urban music! (Key English Test; A2; French)

all the best

A2 used to say that you hope someone will be happy, healthy, successful, etc., often when saying goodbye

Dictionary examples:

Well, all the best - it was nice meeting you.

Please wish him all the best in his new job.

Learner example:

I want to wish you all the best! (Skills for Life (Entry 2); A2; Polish)

all the time

A2 continuously

Dictionary example:

I wish you'd stop criticizing me all the time.

Learner example:

He laugh[s] all the time. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Italian)

all (ONLY THING)

B1 the only thing

Dictionary examples:

All I remember is waking up in the hospital.

All you can do is hope he'll get better.

Learner example:

Actually, I lost my job last week. All I can do is buy a computer and get [on] the internet to find [another] job. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Chinese)

at all

B1 used for emphasis in questions or negative statements, to mean in any way or of any type

Dictionary examples:

Can I help at all?

He hasn't changed at all.

Learner example:

The sun was shining and there were no clouds at all, so we could see the light blue sky. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

above all

B1 most importantly

Dictionary examples:

Above all, I'd like to thank my family.

He is known above all for his movies.

Learner example:

She is a very nice person and above all, she is really cheerful. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

after all

B1 used to add information that shows that what you have just said is true

Dictionary example:

You can't expect to be perfect - after all, it was only your first lesson.

Learner example:

I stopped talking with my friends, but not [for long] - after all, we are friends. Anyway, I'm planning nice things for the next April 1st. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Portuguese)

all is well

B1 everything is in a good or acceptable state

Dictionary example:

I hope all is well with Jack.

Learner example:

I hope all's well. (First Certificate in English; B2; French)

in all

B2 used to show the total amount of something

Dictionary example:

Some of the children came, so there were 15 of us in all.

Learner example:

Secondly, even though most people like[d] [the] group RADIANT, they [only] played for 35 minutes in all. (First Certificate in English; B2; )

all of a sudden

B2 suddenly

Dictionary example:

All of a sudden, he came running in.

Learner example:

All of a sudden, a weird creature popped into his dream. (First Certificate in English; B2; French)

all over again

B2 repeated from the beginning

Dictionary example:

We had to start all over again.

Learner example:

After that I went back to my home in Ribeirao Preto to begin my routine all over again. (First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese)

and all (that)

B1 used for saying that other similar things are included or that the whole of a situation is considered

Dictionary examples:

He told us about his school and all.

We decided to stay in bed, with it being a holiday and all that.

Learner example:

I really enjoy shopping for clothes, but not only for clothes, also for things like earrings and all that! (Preliminary English Test; B1; Swiss German)

after all

C1 used to say that something happened or was true although you did not expect it to happen or be true

Dictionary example:

Helen couldn't come to the party after all.

Learner example:

Cars still enter the city so there will be pollution after all. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Dutch)

all hours

C1 very late at night, until early morning, or almost all the time

Dictionary example:

Our neighbors play loud music at all hours of the day and night.

Learner example:

This causes traffic jams at all hours of the day. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Polish)

all at once

C1 suddenly

Dictionary example:

All at once he stood up and walked out of the room.

Learner example:

All at once, everything started to work again. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Italian)

all things considered

C1 used for saying that something is true in general if you think about all its aspects

Dictionary example:

The show was a great success, all things considered.

Learner example:

All things considered, it seems like "Kavanagh Catering Services" would be most suitable for the students. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Turkish)

for all

C2 despite

Dictionary example:

For all her qualifications, she's useless at the job.

Learner example:

For all of his desire to be strong, Okonkwo is haunted [by] fear. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Catalan)

all · adverb

/ɔːl/

all

A2 completely or very

Dictionary examples:

The cake was all eaten last night.

You're all wet!

Tell me all about your trip.

Learner example:

I'm going to tell you all about it. (Key English Test; A2; )

all over

A2 in every place

Dictionary example:

He's traveled all over the world.

Learner example:

The people in the class are from all over the world. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Italian)

all along

B2 from the beginning of a period of time

Dictionary example:

I knew all along that it was a mistake.

Learner example:

In the future the key word for fashion will be comfort as this is basically what everyone has been wanting all along. (First Certificate in English; B2; Danish)

all in all

B2 considering everything

Dictionary example:

All in all, it was a great vacation.

Learner example:

All in all, nobody cares about air pollution and the environment in general. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)

all over the place

B2 in or to many different places

Dictionary example:

There were dirty dishes all over the place.

Learner example:

There w[as] plenty of food and drinks, and there were about 180 guests dancing and chat[t]ing all over the place. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)

be all very well

C1 used to show that you do not agree with something or that you are annoyed about something

Dictionary example:

It's all very well for her to say everything's fine, she doesn't have to live here.

Learner example:

That's all very well for most of the people but according to my desires [i]t's not enough. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Greek)

be all set

C1 to be ready

Dictionary example:

We were all set to go when the phone rang.

Learner example:

So, there you go. I'm all set! (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)

all the better/easier/more exciting, etc.

C2 much better, easier, more exciting, etc.

Dictionary example:

The journey was all the more dangerous because of the bad weather.

Learner example:

He had to overcome great obstacles in his professional and private lives, which makes his achievements all the more remarkable. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German)

all but

C2 almost

Dictionary example:

The movie was all but over by the time we got there.

Learner example:

He could all but hear their stomachs rumble. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Dutch)