What is the Difference Between Altogether and All Together?

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The difference between "altogether" and "all together" lies in their usage and meaning:

  • Altogether is an adverb that means "completely," "all things considered," or "on the whole". It is used to describe a situation or state that is entirely or wholly in place or achieved. For example, "The principal said that shorts are banned altogether from the dress code".
  • All together is a phrase that means "everyone together" or "everything together". It is used to refer to all members of a group or everything being in the same place or time. For example, "The last time we were all together was back in December".

To remember the difference, keep in mind that "altogether" is always an adverb and can be replaced by "completely," "totally," or "on the whole". In contrast, "all together" is a two-word phrase that cannot be replaced by an adverb.

Comparative Table: Altogether vs All Together

The difference between "altogether" and "all together" lies in their usage in sentences:

  • Altogether: It is an adverb that means "completely," "all things considered," or "on the whole". It is used when something encompasses everything or everyone.
  • All together: It is a phrase that refers to an entire group or everything being together. It is often used to mean "everyone together" or "everything together".

Here is a table illustrating the difference:

Use Meaning Example Sentences
Altogether (adverb) Completely, all things considered, or on the whole We took an altogether new approach to the problem.
All together (phrase) Everyone together or everything together Place your books all together so we don't forget them in the morning.

Remember that "altogether" is only used as an adverb, while "all together" is never used as an adverb but is used in all other senses.