All vs. Everyone — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 7, 2024
"All" refers to every part or member of a group, focusing on the collective aspect, while "everyone" specifically denotes each individual within a group.
Difference Between All and Everyone
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"All" is used to describe the totality of a group or quantity, emphasizing the complete set or entirety of something. Whereas "everyone" focuses solely on people, referring to each person within a specified group.
When discussing inclusivity, "all" can apply to objects, ideas, or people, indicating its broad applicability. On the other hand, "everyone" is exclusively used to reference human beings in a collective sense.
In terms of grammatical usage, "all" can function as a determiner, pronoun, or adverb, adapting to different contexts within a sentence. In contrast, "everyone" always serves as a pronoun, specifically a noun, indicating its more limited grammatical flexibility.
The phrase "all of us" includes every person referred to, suggesting a collective unit. Whereas "everyone" individually acknowledges each person, reinforcing the idea of singularity within the group.
"All" can modify non-human nouns, such as in "all cars," which refers to every car. Meanwhile, "everyone" would never be used in this way, as it strictly categorizes human entities.
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Comparison Chart
Usage Scope
Objects, ideas, people
Only people
Grammatical Role
Determiner, pronoun, adverb
Pronoun (noun)
Collective vs. Individual
Collective entity
Individual members
Example Context
All cars were washed.
Everyone was invited.
Semantic Focus
Totality of group or set
Each individual in group
Compare with Definitions
All
Every type or kind; completely.
All technology fascinates me.
Everyone
Each person involved.
Everyone has a chance to win.
All
Used for emphasis.
All I know is that he left early.
Everyone
All people in a group, without exclusion.
Everyone needs to agree.
All
In any way; to any extent.
I am not at all surprised.
Everyone
Informal total inclusion in speaking.
Is everyone ready to go?
All
Entire quantity or extent of a particular group or set.
All the cookies were eaten.
Everyone
Every person; all people.
Everyone at the party enjoyed the music.
All
The whole number or sum.
All of the books are interesting.
Everyone
Used to refer to all people in the world.
Everyone can make a difference.
All
Being or representing the entire or total number, amount, or quantity
All the windows are open. Deal all the cards.
Everyone
Every person.
All
Constituting, being, or representing the total extent or the whole
All Christendom.
Everyone
Everybody; - commonly separated, every one.
All
Being the utmost possible of
Argued the case in all seriousness.
All
Every
Got into all manner of trouble.
All
Any whatsoever
Beyond all doubt.
All
(Pennsylvania) Consumed; used up; gone
The apples are all.
All
(Informal) Being more than one
Who all came to the party? See Note at y'all.
All
The whole of one's fortune, resources, or energy; everything one has
The brave defenders gave their all.
All
Wholly; completely
A room painted all white.
All
So much
I am all the better for that experience.
All
Used as an intensive
Then he got all mad and left.
All
Each; apiece
A score of five all.
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.
All
Throughout the whole of (a stated period of time; generally used with units of a day or longer).
All
Only; alone; nothing but.
He's all talk; he never puts his ideas into practice.
All
(obsolete) Any.
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.
All
Everyone.
A good time was had by all.
We all enjoyed the movie.
All
The only thing(s).
All that was left was a small pile of ash.
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.
All
Wholly; entirely; completely; totally.
She was sitting all alone. It suddenly went all quiet.
All
Apiece; each.
The score was 30 all when the rain delay started.
All
(degree) So much.
Don't want to go? All the better since I lost the tickets.
All
Even; just.
All
A quotative particle, compare like.
She was all, “Whatever.”
All
(with a possessive pronoun) Everything that one is capable of.
She gave her all, and collapsed at the finish line.
All
(countable) The totality of one's possessions.
All
(obsolete) Although.
All
All gone; dead.
The butter is all.
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.
All
Any.
All
Only; alone; nothing but.
I was born to speak all mirth and no matter.
All
Wholly; completely; altogether; entirely; quite; very; as, all bedewed; my friend is all for amusement.
All
Even; just. (Often a mere intensive adjunct.
All as his straying flock he fed.
A damsel lay deploringAll on a rock reclined.
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.
All
Although; albeit.
All they were wondrous loth.
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
All
Completely given to or absorbed by;
Became all attention
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
Common Curiosities
Can "all" and "everyone" be used interchangeably?
No, because "all" can refer to things and ideas as well as people, while "everyone" is limited to referring to people only.
Is "all" ever used to address people directly?
Yes, "all" can be used to address a group directly, as in "Hello, all!"
Can "all" be used to emphasize a statement?
Yes, "all" can be used for emphasis, especially in expressions like "all too well" or "all the more."
Can "everyone" be used to refer to animals or objects?
No, "everyone" strictly refers to human beings.
How do "all" and "everyone" differ in terms of formality?
Both "all" and "everyone" are suitable for formal and informal contexts, but "all" might appear in more diverse contexts due to its broader usage.
How can "all" be used in negative constructions?
In negative constructions, "all" can be used to negate the entirety of a group or quantity, as in "Not all games are fun."
How does "all" interact with plural and singular nouns?
With plural nouns, "all" signifies the entirety of the group (e.g., All dogs need exercise), whereas with singular, collective nouns, it suggests inclusiveness (e.g., All of humanity).
Which is more personal, "all" or "everyone"?
Everyone is more personal, as it addresses each individual in a group.
What is the plural form of "everyone"?
There is no plural form; "everyone" is already considered plural as it refers to all individuals in a group.
Does the use of "everyone" imply equality among individuals?
Yes, using "everyone" typically implies that each individual is being considered equally within the context.
What is a common mistake made when using "all" vs. "everyone"?
A common mistake is using "all" to refer exclusively to people when "everyone" would be more precise and personal.
Is "everyone" used internationally across all English dialects?
Yes, "everyone" is widely understood and used across different English-speaking countries.
How does the inclusion of "all" or "everyone" impact the tone of a sentence?
Using "all" can make a statement sound more inclusive or universal, while "everyone" personalizes the message, focusing on individual members of a group.
Are there any idiomatic uses of "everyone"?
While "everyone" has fewer idiomatic uses compared to "all," it appears in everyday expressions like "Everyone out!"
Can "all" modify a proper noun?
Yes, "all" can modify proper nouns when referring to groups, as in "All Americans are eligible."
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
