Gems of My Crown ~ All Together vs. Altogether

This week, we’re discussing all together vs. altogether, another pair that looks similar but serves two very different purposes. Now these cousins right here stay sneaking into manuscripts wearing each other’s clothes. Writers see all together and altogether, know they both involve “all,” and just start freestyling. No ma’am. No sir. Let’s restore order.

Though the two words in this pair share the same root words, they are not interchangeable.

All Together

The phrase all together means everyone or everything in one place, group, or action at the same time.

Think of it literally: all people or things being together.

Example:
The family was finally all together for the holidays.

Another example:
They sang the chorus all together.

Another example:
Let’s meet all together before making a decision.

Altogether

The word altogether is an adverb meaning completely, entirely, or considering everything as a whole.

It can also mean “on the whole” or “in total.”

Example:
The plan was altogether unrealistic.

Another example:
She decided to avoid the situation altogether.

Another example:
Altogether, it was a successful evening.

The Difference

If people or things are gathered in one group, you want all together.

If you mean completely, entirely, or overall, you want altogether.

So if the cousins came to dinner, they were all together.
If dinner was a complete disaster, it was altogether different than expected.

And please don’t write that the family was altogether at grandma’s house unless you mean they arrived in one giant confusing blob.

These two may look similar, but they perform different functions and should not be used interchangeably.