All Is vs. All Are – Which is Correct?
Both “all is” and “all are” are correct, but they agree with different meanings of all. Use “all is” when all refers to one thing, an uncountable idea, or a single situation. Use “all are” when all refers to multiple countable people or things. The noun after all determines the verb.
All Is or All Are – Which is Correct?
All is and all are are both grammatically correct. The correct choice depends on whether all refers to a singular or uncountable subject, or to several countable subjects.
Use all is when all means “everything,” “the whole situation,” or an uncountable amount:
- All is well.
- All the information is accurate.
- All of the water is clean.
Use all are when all refers to multiple people or countable things:
- All of the students are ready.
- All the documents are signed.
- All of my friends are invited.
The key is not the word all itself. The key is the noun or pronoun that follows it, either directly or after of.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the replacement test. If you can replace all with everything, use is. If you can replace it with everyone or they, use are.
- All is well → Everything is well.
- All are welcome → They are welcome.
- All of the furniture is new → It is new.
- All of the chairs are new → They are new.
| Word or Phrase | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| all is | Pronoun or determiner with a singular or uncountable subject | Everything is; the whole amount is | All of the equipment is ready. |
| all are | Pronoun or determiner with a plural subject | Everyone is; every item in a group is | All of the machines are ready. |
How to Use All Is
Use all is when all represents one complete situation, one collective idea, or an uncountable noun. This construction is especially common in expressions such as all is well, all is lost, and all is forgiven.
When all comes before an uncountable noun, the verb is singular because the noun is treated as one mass or concept. Common uncountable nouns include information, advice, money, equipment, water, and evidence.
Example 1: All is quiet in the building.
Example 2: All of the information is available online.
Example 3: After the repairs, all is well again.
Etymology of the Word All
The word all comes from Old English eall, meaning “entire,” “every,” or “the whole.” It has retained this broad meaning in modern English, while its verb agreement changes according to whether it refers to a singular, uncountable, or plural subject.
How to Use All Are
Use all are when all refers to two or more countable people, animals, objects, or other plural subjects. The plural noun may appear immediately after all or after the phrase all of.
In everyday writing and speech, all are is natural when emphasizing every member of a group. It is also common in formal, academic, business, and technical writing.
Example 1: All of the applicants are qualified.
Example 2: All the windows are open.
Example 3: All of our guests are seated.
Etymology of the Word Are
Are is a present-tense form of the verb be. It developed through the history of Germanic languages and became associated with plural subjects and the second-person pronouns you and we. In all are, it agrees with the plural meaning of the subject.
Related Concepts
Understanding subject–verb agreement and countable versus uncountable nouns makes the difference between all is and all are easier to recognize.
- Subject–verb agreement: A verb should match its subject in number. Singular or uncountable subjects take is, while plural subjects take are.
- Countable nouns: Countable nouns can refer to separate items, such as books, students, or cars. They usually take are after all.
- Uncountable nouns: Uncountable nouns describe substances, concepts, or amounts that are not normally counted individually. They take is after all.
- Collective meaning: All can refer to one complete situation, as in all is lost, even though it may conceptually include many details.
Examples from Media and Literature
Both forms appear in literature, journalism, entertainment, and everyday public communication. The intended meaning determines the agreement.
- Literature: The expression “all is well” is famously associated with Shakespearean language and is used to summarize a situation in which everything is satisfactory.
- News reporting: A report may state, “All of the witnesses are cooperating,” because witnesses is a plural countable noun.
- Film and television dialogue: A character might reassure others by saying, “All is forgiven,” treating the entire matter as one situation.
- Business communication: A project update may say, “All of the contracts are ready for review,” because contracts refers to multiple documents.
- Science and technical writing: A report may say, “All of the equipment is functioning correctly,” because equipment is an uncountable noun.
All Is Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Everything is | Refers to the whole situation or every relevant thing. |
| The whole situation is | Describes one complete circumstance or condition. |
| The entire amount is | Refers to an uncountable quantity as a whole. |
| Everything remains | Indicates that the complete situation continues in a particular state. |
All Are Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Everyone is | Refers to every person in a group. |
| They are all | Emphasizes that every member of a plural group shares a condition. |
| Each one is | Refers separately to every individual item or person. |
| Every one is | Means that no member of the relevant group is excluded. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “all is” grammatically correct?
Yes. “All is” is correct when all means “everything,” refers to one complete situation, or modifies an uncountable noun, as in “All is well” and “All of the advice is useful.”
Question 2: Is “all are” grammatically correct?
Yes. Use “all are” when all refers to multiple countable people or things, as in “All of the children are outside” or “All the answers are correct.”
Question 3: Should I say “all of the information is” or “all of the information are”?
Say “all of the information is.” Information is an uncountable noun in standard English, so it takes the singular verb is. Do not use informations in ordinary English.
Question 4: Should I say “all of the people is” or “all of the people are”?
Say “all of the people are.” People is plural, so it requires the plural verb are.
Question 5: Is “all are well” the same as “all is well”?
No. “All is well” means that everything or the whole situation is satisfactory. “All are well” refers to several people, animals, or other plural subjects that are in good condition.
Conclusion
All is and all are are both correct. Choose all is for “everything,” a complete situation, or an uncountable noun. Choose all are for multiple countable people or things. As a professional writing tip, checking the noun after all helps prevent subject–verb agreement errors that can weaken your credibility.
