Hello, wonderful learners! Today’s dynamic lesson focuses on the intriguing distinction between two English phrases often mixed up: altogether and all together. Despite their similar appearance, their usage is quite different. Let’s simplify this for you!
Altogether
First off, let’s talk about altogether (IPA: /ˌɔːltəˈɡeðər/). It’s an adverb that means entirely, completely, or on the whole.
Here are 10 examples:
- The project was altogether a great success. (The project was a complete success)
- It was altogether different from what I expected. (It was completely different from what I expected)
- The dress costs $200 altogether. (The dress costs $200 in total)
- The team’s performance was altogether satisfactory. (The team’s performance was completely satisfactory)
- The meal was altogether delicious. (The meal was entirely delicious)
- We spent $100 altogether at the carnival. (We spent a total of $100 at the carnival)
- This is an altogether new concept. (This is a completely new concept)
- It’s altogether probable that we will win. (It’s entirely probable that we will win)
- The event was altogether memorable. (The event was completely memorable)
- Altogether, it was a great experience. (On the whole, it was a great experience)
All Together
Next, we’re going to look at the phrase all together (IPA: /ɔːl təˈɡeðər/). It means everyone or everything in one place or at the same time.
Here are 10 examples:
- We sang the song all together. (We all sang the song at the same time)
- The family lived all together in one house. (The entire family lived in one house)
- Let’s go to the park all together. (Let’s all go to the park at the same time)
- Put the ingredients all together in a bowl. (Put all the ingredients in a bowl at the same time)
- We finished the project all together. (We all finished the project at the same time)
- The puppies slept all together in a pile. (All the puppies slept in a pile in the same place)
- Let’s clean the room all together. (Let’s all clean the room at the same time)
- The kids are playing all together in the yard. (All the kids are playing in the yard at the same time)
- The birds flew away all together. (All the birds flew away at the same time)
- We are stronger when we work all together. (We are stronger when we all work at the same time)
Conclusion
In summary, altogether is used to mean entirely or on the whole, while all together refers to everyone or everything in one place or at the same time. Understanding this difference will certainly help you communicate with greater precision in English!