All Is or All Are? Which Is Correct?

Author:

Waqas Ashraf

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All Is or All Are? Have you ever wondered whether to use “all is” or “all are” in your writing? This common grammatical dilemma often leaves people scratching their heads. In short, the answer depends on the context.

When referring to a collective noun as a single entity, such as a team or group, we use “all is.” On the other hand, when discussing multiple individuals within that collective noun, we opt for “all are.”

Understanding this distinction will help you navigate through potential grammar pitfalls and ensure your sentences sound natural and accurate.

Let’s delve deeper into this topic to clarify any confusion surrounding the usage of “all is” versus “all are.”

Table of Contents

Do We Say All Is or All Are?

Both “all is” and “all are” can be grammatically correct, but the choice depends on what you mean. Here’s the breakdown:

Use “all Is” When:

You are referring to a singular concept or entity. Think of “all” as representing a whole, not individual parts.

Example: “All is lost.” (Meaning everything is lost.)

Example: “All that glitters is not gold.” (Meaning the entirety of things that glitter.)

Use “all Are” When:

You are referring to multiple individual things. “All” functions as a pronoun representing distinct entities.

Example: “The books are all on the shelf.” (Meaning each individual book is on the shelf.)

Example: “They are all coming to the party.” (Meaning each individual person is coming.)

Some Additional Tips:

In some cases, both options might sound natural, but one might be more common or stylistic.
For example, “We are all happy” and “We all are happy” are both grammatically correct, but “We are all happy” is more common.

If you’re unsure, it’s generally safer to go with “all are” unless you specifically mean a singular concept.

The Difference between ‘Is’ and ‘Are’:

When it comes to using “is” or “are” correctly, it’s important to understand the difference in their usage. Here are a few key points to keep in mind:

Subject-Verb Agreement: The choice between “is” and “are” depends on whether you are referring to a singular subject or multiple subjects.

Use ‘is’ when referring to a single subject:
Example: The cat is sleeping.
Use ‘are’ when referring to multiple subjects:

Example: The cats are playing.

Collective Nouns: Collective nouns refer to a group of individuals as one unit. They can be tricky because they can take either a singular or plural verb form depending on context.

If emphasizing the unity of the group, use singular verbs (‘is’):

Example: My family is going on vacation.
If emphasizing individual members within the group, use plural verbs (‘are’):
Example: My family are all talented musicians.

All Is or All Are Grammar:

The choice between “all is” and “all are” comes down to agreement in grammar. In English, verbs need to agree with their subjects in terms of number (singular or plural).

Singular “all”: When “all” refers to a singular whole or concept, it functions as a singular noun and takes the singular verb form “is.”

Example: “All is lost.” (The entire situation is lost, treated as a singular unit.)

Example: “All that glitters is not gold.” (The whole category of things that glitter is not gold.)

Plural “all”: When “all” refers to multiple individual entities, it takes on the role of a pronoun representing those plural entities. The verb therefore needs to be plural, which is “are.”

Example: “The books are all on the shelf.” (Each individual book is there.)

Example: “They are all coming to the party.” (Each individual person is coming.)

Common Instances Where ‘Is’ Should Be Used:

When it comes to the usage of “is” or “are,” there are certain common instances where we should use the singular form “is.” Here are some examples:

Singular subjects: Whenever you have a singular subject, you should use “is” instead of “are.” For instance:

The cat is sleeping peacefully on the couch.
My favorite book is a classic novel.

Indefinite pronouns: Indefinite pronouns such as everyone, nobody, somebody, anyone, and someone are considered singular. Therefore, they require the verb “is” rather than “are.” Examples include:

Everybody wants to be happy in life.
Nobody knows what tomorrow will bring.

Collective nouns: Collective nouns refer to groups but function as single units. In such cases, we use the singular form of verbs like “is”:

The team is preparing for an important match.
Our family is going on vacation next month.

Common Instances Where ‘Are’ Should Be Used:

In certain situations, the word “are” is the correct choice to use instead of “is.” Here are some common instances where you should opt for “are”:

Plural subjects: When referring to multiple people, animals, or objects as the subject of a sentence, use “are.” For example:

The dogs are barking loudly.
The cars outside are parked haphazardly.

Collective nouns: Collective nouns represent a group comprising multiple individuals. In such cases, consider using “are” rather than “is.” Examples include:

The team members are preparing for the competition.
My family and I are going on vacation next week.

Comparisons: When making comparisons between two or more things or people, employ “are” instead of “is.”

Apples are healthier than cookies.
John and Mary’s grades were better than mine.

Dates involving a plural day component: When referring to dates that have days expressed in plural form (e.g., Mondays), use “are.”

Mondays during summer break are usually less busy at the gym.
Saturdays and Sundays are my favorite days off work!

Do We Say All Is Good or All Are Good?

You’re correct to question which is the appropriate phrase in this case! Both “all is good” and “all are good” are grammatically sound, but their usage depends on the intended meaning:

“All Is Good” Is Correct When:

You’re referring to a singular concept of “goodness” as a whole. It essentially means everything is positive or acceptable.

Example: “After the apology, all is good between them.” (Meaning the issue is resolved and there’s a positive atmosphere.)
Example: “With careful planning, all will be good.” (Meaning the future outcome is likely to be positive.)

“All Are Good” Is Correct When:

You’re referring to multiple individual entities that are each good.
Example: “The apples in this basket are all good.” (Meaning each individual apple is good.)
Example: “The team members are all good at their jobs.” (Meaning each member possesses the required skills.)

Conclusion and Final Thoughts!

When it comes to the debate of “all is” versus “all are,” the correct form depends on the context and subject being referred to.

If we are discussing a singular collective noun or a concept as a whole, such as a team or an idea, it is appropriate to use “all is.” For example, we would say “All is well” or “All of this information is crucial.”

On the other hand, if we are referring to individual members within a group or multiple items that make up a whole, then we should use “all are.” For instance, we would say “All my friends are coming over tonight” or “All these books on the shelf are mine.”

It’s important to note that while there may be some general rules regarding whether to use singular verb forms (is) or plural verb forms (are), language can be flexible and context-driven.