Altogether vs. All Together: What's the Difference?
Distinguish altogether, meaning completely or in total, from all together, meaning everyone or everything in one place, with examples and FAQs.
Altogether is one word when it means completely, on the whole, or in total. All together is two words when all members of a group are together in one place or act at the same time. The sentence was altogether confusing, but the team solved it all together.
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At 5:25 p.m., an event reminder asks staff to “meet altogether by the entrance.” The message concerns everyone gathering in one place, so the phrase should be two words: meet all together.
Altogether vs. All Together at a glance
| Word | Typical role | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| altogether | Adverb | completely, on the whole, or in total | The revised approach is altogether more practical. |
| all together | Pronoun or determiner plus adverb | everyone or everything together | Place the signed forms all together in one folder. |
How to use altogether
Altogether can intensify an adjective, summarize a judgment, or introduce a total: altogether different, altogether unacceptable, and six reports altogether. It does not identify the members of a group.
The revised approach is altogether more practical.
How to use all together
All together keeps all independent, referring to every member or item, while together describes their shared position or action. Other words can sometimes fit between them: all neatly together.
Place the signed forms all together in one folder.
Rules that make the choice easier
Try completely for altogether
If completely preserves the meaning, use one word: altogether wrong becomes completely wrong.
Try everyone together for all together
If the sentence concerns a whole group in the same place or acting jointly, use two words.
Use the insertion test
If you can insert a word between all and together—such as all standing together—the two-word phrase is required.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Incorrect: The instructions were all together unclear. Correct: They were altogether unclear.
- Incorrect: We posed altogether for the photo. Correct: We posed all together.
- Do not rely on pronunciation; the forms sound alike.
Quick practice
1. The plan is ___ too expensive.
Answer: altogether
2. The children sang ___ .
Answer: all together
3. There were twelve responses ___ .
Answer: altogether
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between altogether and all together?
Altogether means completely or in total; all together means every member gathered or acting together.
Is it altogether different or all together different?
Write altogether different because the meaning is completely different.
Is it we went altogether or all together?
Use all together when everyone went as one group.
How can I test altogether vs. all together?
Try completely for altogether and everyone together for all together.