All vs. Everything — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 22, 2024
"All" refers to the total number or amount of a specific set or category, whereas "everything" encompasses every individual thing, often without specific categorization.
Difference Between All and Everything
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"All" is often used to denote the entirety of a specific group, collection, or category of things or people, emphasizing completeness within a defined scope. For instance, when one says, "All students must submit their assignments by Friday," it refers to every student within the context of the classroom or school. On the other hand, "everything" refers to all things considered collectively, usually without specifying a category. Saying, "Everything must be in order before we leave" implies a general totality without limiting the scope to a particular group or category.
While "all" requires the presence of a defined set or group to make sense, "everything" does not necessarily need a specific category to be understood. "All" can be used to emphasize inclusivity within a known or mentioned group, such as in "All cars in the parking lot must be moved by noon," whereas "everything" is more encompassing and universal, as in "Everything is covered in snow."
The usage of "all" can also imply a focus on individual components of a group or category, each being accounted for. In contrast, "everything" suggests a holistic view without necessarily focusing on the individuality of components. For example, "All ingredients must be added slowly" highlights the individual attention each ingredient requires, while "Everything in the recipe must be organic" emphasizes a general requirement.
"All" and "everything" can sometimes be used interchangeably in casual conversation, but their nuances become important in more precise or formal contexts. For instance, in legal documents or specific instructions, the choice between "all" and "everything" can affect the interpretation of the text.
Despite their differences, both "all" and "everything" are used to convey the idea of completeness. However, "all" is more about the totality within a specified set or category, and "everything" is about the collective entirety without the need for specifying categories.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Refers to the total number or amount within a specific set or category.
Encompasses every individual thing, often without specific categorization.
Contextual Need
Requires a defined set or category to be meaningful.
Can be used without specifying a category, referring to a general totality.
Focus
Can emphasize individual components within a group.
Suggests a holistic view of totality.
Usage Example
"All members of the team must agree."
"Everything in the universe is made of energy."
Interpretation
Often used for inclusivity within a known group or category.
Used to convey a collective entirety, regardless of categories.
Compare with Definitions
All
The whole amount or extent of a specified set.
All the money was donated to charity.
Everything
Used to refer to the general state of affairs.
After the party, everything was a mess.
All
Totality within a specified group.
All students in the class received a textbook.
Everything
Referring to all occurrences or instances.
Everything went according to plan.
All
Collective inclusion within a group.
All opinions in the meeting were considered.
Everything
The total of all things or matters.
Everything has been cleaned and organized.
All
Every individual component or member.
All ingredients are listed on the packaging.
Everything
Indicating the entire extent or scope.
Everything in the garden is blooming.
All
Used to emphasize completeness in a category.
All attempts to contact him failed.
Everything
A term used for universal inclusion.
Everything is subject to change.
All
Being or representing the entire or total number, amount, or quantity
All the windows are open. Deal all the cards.
Everything
Everything (or Every thing) is all that exists; the opposite of nothing, or its complement. It is the totality of things relevant to some subject matter.
All
Constituting, being, or representing the total extent or the whole
All Christendom.
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.
All
Being the utmost possible of
Argued the case in all seriousness.
Everything
Many or most things.
I did everything today - washed the dishes, cut the lawn, did the laundry.
All
Every
Got into all manner of trouble.
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.
All
Any whatsoever
Beyond all doubt.
Everything
(colloquial) Considerable effort.
It took everything in me to resist the temptation to skip work on my birthday.
All
(Pennsylvania) Consumed; used up; gone
The apples are all.
Everything
(colloquial) The most important thing.
I can't believe I made it in time - timing is everything!
All
(Informal) Being more than one
Who all came to the party? See Note at y'all.
Everything
Whatever pertains to the subject under consideration; all things.
More wise, more learned, more just, more everything.
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
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 "everything" be used interchangeably?
They can be in casual speech, but their nuances matter in precise contexts.
Is "all" more specific than "everything"?
Yes, "all" requires a specific group or category to make sense.
What does "everything" mean?
Encompasses all things considered collectively, without specific categorization.
Is "everything" used for a holistic totality?
Yes, it refers to the collective entirety without focusing on individual components.
What does "all" mean?
Refers to the entirety or total number within a specific group or category.
Can "all" imply individual attention?
Yes, it often emphasizes the inclusion and account of each component within a group.
How does "all" relate to specificity?
It denotes completeness within a defined or specified set.
How do "all" and "everything" differ in usage?
"All" is used with a defined set or category, whereas "everything" refers to a general totality.
Does "everything" require a category to be understood?
No, it does not necessarily need a specific category for its usage.
How does focus differ between "all" and "everything"?
"All" can focus on individual components, while "everything" suggests a holistic view.
Does the choice between "all" and "everything" affect interpretation?
In formal or precise contexts, yes, as it can change the scope of reference.
What is an example of "all" in a sentence?
"All books on the shelf are available for lending."
What is an example of "everything" in a sentence?
"Everything you see here is for sale."
Are there exceptions to the usage of "all" and "everything"?
While there are general guidelines, contextual nuances can affect their interchangeability.
How is "everything" used in general terms?
It is used to express a general or universal totality, often without limitations.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-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.
