All vs. Everything — What's the Difference?

"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.