Altogether or All Together: Meaning & Difference

When writing an email, finishing a group project, or describing a total amount, you may wonder whether to write altogether or all together. The two forms look almost identical, but they serve different purposes in English.

Altogether usually means completely, entirely, or in total, while all together means everyone or everything in one group or place. Understanding this distinction will help you choose the right expression in everyday conversation, professional writing, and academic work.

Quick Answer

Altogether and all together are both correct English forms, but they have different meanings.

Form	Meaning	Example
Altogether	Completely, entirely, or in total	The tickets cost $80 altogether.
All together	Everyone or everything in one place or at the same time	The students gathered all together.

Use altogether when you mean completely or in total. Use all together when you mean that people or things are grouped or acting collectively.

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Meaning and Definition

Meaning of Altogether

Altogether means completely, entirely, or in total. It can also express an overall judgment about something.

You might use it when calculating a total cost, describing a complete change, or summarizing an experience.

For example, if three items cost $10, $15, and $25, their total is $50 altogether. If a business closes altogether, it stops operating completely.

Definition of Altogether

Altogether is an adverb that means completely, entirely, in total, or when considering everything.

In practical English, it modifies a statement to express completeness, a total amount, or an overall assessment.

Examples:

• The repairs cost $300 altogether.
• We decided to cancel the event altogether.
• Altogether, the conference was a success.
• I am not altogether convinced by his explanation.

Meaning of All Together

All together means that everyone or everything is in the same place, acting as a group, or doing something at the same time.

It is useful when talking about family gatherings, group activities, classroom instructions, musical performances, and other situations involving people or things collectively.

For example, when a teacher asks the students to read a sentence all together, the teacher wants the entire class to read it at the same time.

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Definition of All Together

All together is a two-word expression in which all emphasizes the people or things involved and together indicates their shared location, action, or timing.

Examples:

• The whole family was all together for dinner.
• The children sang all together.
• Put the documents all together in one folder.
• We arrived all together at the venue.

The expression can also appear with words between all and together, as in “We all worked together on the project.”

Main Difference

The main difference between altogether and all together is their meaning and grammatical function.

Altogether expresses completeness, a total, or an overall judgment. All together emphasizes people or things being united in place or action.

Feature	Altogether	All Together
Spelling	One word	Two words
Grammatical function	Adverb	Adverbial phrase
Main meaning	Completely or in total	As a group or at the same time
Refers to a total amount	Yes	Not by itself
Refers to a group in one place	Not usually	Yes
Can mean completely stopping something	Yes	No
Example	The service stopped altogether.	The guests sat all together.

Consider these sentences:

• The project cost $2,000 altogether. This means the total cost was $2,000.
• The team worked all together on the project. This emphasizes the team working collectively.

Notice that the spelling changes the meaning. Replacing one form with the other can make a sentence incorrect or communicate a different idea.

Which One Is Correct?

Both altogether and all together are correct in standard English. Neither spelling is inherently wrong.

The correct choice depends on what you want to communicate.

Use altogether when you mean:

• Completely: “The company stopped producing the product altogether.”
• In total: “We invited 40 people altogether.”
• On the whole: “Altogether, it was a worthwhile experience.”

Use all together when you mean:

• In one place: “The relatives were all together again.”
• At the same time: “Everyone shouted all together.”
• As a group: “Let’s put the chairs all together near the wall.”

Neither form is exclusively American or British English. The distinction applies in both varieties.

Grammar and Usage

How Altogether Functions in a Sentence

Altogether is an adverb. It modifies verbs, adjectives, and other expressions by adding a sense of completeness, totality, or overall evaluation.

It commonly appears in these patterns:

1. Altogether + adjective

This pattern emphasizes a quality or degree.

• The new design is altogether different.
• Her explanation was altogether convincing.
• The situation became altogether too complicated.

2. Verb + altogether

Here, the word often indicates that an action stops completely or is eliminated.

• The factory closed altogether.
• He abandoned the idea altogether.
• The old system was discontinued altogether.

3. Amount or quantity + altogether

This pattern expresses the combined total.

• The three books cost $45 altogether.
• There were 120 participants altogether.
• We spent six hours altogether preparing the report.

4. Altogether at the beginning of a sentence

At the beginning of a sentence, altogether can introduce an overall judgment or conclusion. A comma is often appropriate.

• Altogether, the trip was enjoyable.
• Altogether, the results were better than expected.

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How All Together Functions in a Sentence

All together is a phrase that emphasizes a collective group, shared location, or simultaneous action.

It commonly appears in these patterns:

1. Be + all together

Use this structure to describe people or things gathered in one place.

• We were all together at the reunion.
• The students are all together in the library.
• The family will be all together this weekend.

2. Verb + all together

Use this pattern when people or things perform an action collectively.

• They sang all together.
• The children laughed all together.
• The volunteers worked all together to prepare the hall.

3. All + verb + together

The word all can appear before the verb while together follows it. This is a particularly natural pattern in English.

• We all went together.
• They all worked together.
• The players all arrived together.

These sentences preserve the idea of collective action, although the precise emphasis depends on the sentence.

4. Put or bring + objects + together

Use this construction to describe grouping things in one place.

• Put all the files together in one folder.
• Bring all the ingredients together before you begin.
• We gathered all the equipment together.

Formal and Informal Usage

Both forms are acceptable in formal and informal English.

In professional writing, use altogether for totals, complete changes, and overall judgments. Use all together when describing group participation, shared locations, or coordinated activities.

For example:

• Formal: The total expenditure was $5,000 altogether.
• Formal: The departments worked all together to complete the review.
• Informal: That’s $20 altogether.
• Informal: Let’s all sing together.

The choice is based on meaning, not formality.

How to Use Altogether and All Together

The easiest way to choose the right form is to identify the meaning you intend to express.

Use Altogether for Completeness

Choose altogether when something happens completely, stops entirely, or changes in every respect.

Examples:

• The store closed altogether after years of declining sales.
• I am not altogether happy with the final result.
• The second proposal was altogether different from the first.

If you can replace the word with completely or entirely without changing the basic meaning, altogether is probably correct.

Use Altogether for Totals

Use altogether when adding quantities, prices, people, or amounts.

Examples:

• The hotel and meals cost $600 altogether.
• We interviewed 25 candidates altogether.
• The journey took eight hours altogether.

In these sentences, the word expresses the combined amount rather than a group acting together.

Use All Together for Groups

Choose all together when people or objects are gathered in the same place or form a group.

Examples:

• The cousins were all together for the holiday.
• Keep the photographs all together in one album.
• We want everyone all together before taking the picture.

The emphasis is on the group as a whole.

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Use All Together for Simultaneous Actions

Use all together when several people perform the same action at the same time.

Examples:

• The audience clapped all together.
• The students read the poem all together.
• Everyone counted down all together.

In many cases, you can also say that the people did something together or that they all did it at the same time.

Examples

Examples of Altogether

The following sentences demonstrate the different meanings of altogether.

Meaning: Completely or entirely

1. The company decided to abandon the project altogether.
2. The noise stopped altogether after midnight.
3. She changed her plans altogether.
4. The proposed solution was altogether impractical.
5. I am not altogether certain that this approach will work.

Meaning: In total

6. The groceries cost $75 altogether.
7. We received 300 applications altogether.
8. The course lasts 12 weeks altogether.
9. The three departments employ 450 people altogether.
10. We spent $1,200 altogether on the trip.

Meaning: On the whole

11. Altogether, the meeting was productive.
12. Altogether, it was a pleasant evening.
13. The experience was altogether worthwhile.
14. Altogether, the benefits outweighed the disadvantages.
15. Altogether, the revised plan seems more practical.

Examples of All Together

These examples show how all together describes a group, shared location, or simultaneous activity.

People gathered in one place

1. The entire family was all together for Thanksgiving.
2. We finally got all together for a group photograph.
3. The guests stood all together near the entrance.
4. The students sat all together at the front of the classroom.
5. Everyone was all together in the conference room.

People acting at the same time

6. The children sang the birthday song all together.
7. The audience cheered all together when the team won.
8. The class repeated the new vocabulary words all together.
9. Everyone raised their hands all together.
10. The dancers moved all together during the final performance.

Things grouped in one place

11. Keep the receipts all together in a safe place.
12. She placed the letters all together in a box.
13. The teacher arranged the books all together on one shelf.
14. We collected all the tools together before leaving.
15. The files were stored all together in a single folder.

Altogether vs. All Together in Similar Sentences

Comparing similar sentences makes the distinction easier to understand.

Sentence	Meaning
We invited 50 people altogether.	The total number invited was 50.
We invited all the people together.	The people were invited as a group or at the same time.
The service stopped altogether.	The service stopped completely.
The employees gathered all together.	The employees gathered as a group.
The plan was altogether different.	The plan was completely different.
The team worked all together.	The team worked collectively.

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Using All Together for a Total Amount

Incorrect for the intended meaning: The three items cost $60 all together.

Correct: The three items cost $60 altogether.

The two-word version can sometimes be grammatical in a sentence about objects grouped together, but it does not express the total amount as directly as altogether does.

Why it happens: Writers may think that all together means the same thing as in total in every context.

Correction: Use altogether when adding up costs, quantities, or totals.

Mistake 2: Using Altogether to Describe a Group in One Place

Incorrect for the intended meaning: The whole family was altogether for dinner.

Correct: The whole family was all together for dinner.

Why it happens: Both forms sound similar, so writers may assume they are interchangeable.

Correction: Use all together when emphasizing that everyone is gathered in one place.

Mistake 3: Confusing Altogether With Completely in Every Context

Incorrect for the intended meaning: We placed the documents completely in one folder.

Better: We placed all the documents together in one folder.

Why it happens: Altogether can mean completely, but that does not make it a substitute for together in every sentence.

Correction: Choose the expression that matches the intended relationship between the objects.

Mistake 4: Assuming All Together Must Always Be Adjacent

Incorrect assumption: The words all and together must always appear next to each other.

Correct examples:

• We all worked together on the assignment.
• They all traveled together.
• The children all played together in the garden.

Why it happens: Learners memorize the phrase all together without recognizing that the words can appear in different positions.

Correction: Remember that all can modify the subject or group, while together describes the shared action.

Mistake 5: Choosing a Form Based Only on Pronunciation

Incorrect approach: Use whichever spelling looks more familiar because both forms sound similar.

Correct approach: Choose the spelling according to the intended meaning.

For example:

• The event was canceled altogether. This means it was canceled completely.
• The guests arrived all together. This means they arrived as a group or at the same time.

Why it happens: The pronunciation of the two forms is very similar in ordinary speech.

Correction: Check the meaning before deciding how to spell the expression.

Linguistic Insight

Why Altogether and All Together Are Different

The difference between altogether and all together illustrates how English spelling can distinguish meanings even when expressions have similar sounds.

Altogether is a single word with an established adverbial meaning. It expresses completeness, a total, or an overall assessment.

All together is a phrase made up of two separate words. All refers to the entire group, while together describes unity, shared location, or coordinated action.

This is an example of how word formation can influence meaning. A combination that originally contains recognizable parts can develop a specialized meaning when it becomes established as one word.

Word Origin and Historical Development

Altogether developed historically from the combination of all and together. Over time, the combined form acquired meanings such as completely, entirely, and in total.

The two-word phrase, all together, continues to express the more transparent idea of everyone or everything being together.

Although their historical relationship explains why the forms look alike, modern English uses them differently. Their spelling is not interchangeable simply because they share the same word elements.

Pronunciation and Spelling

In many English accents, the two forms have very similar pronunciations. Both are commonly pronounced with the sounds represented by all, to, and gether, though individual accents vary.

Because the difference is primarily orthographic and semantic, listeners may not notice which form a speaker intends until they understand the context.

Writers, however, must choose the spelling that accurately represents the meaning.

A Special Expression: In the Altogether

English also has the old-fashioned expression in the altogether, which means naked.

This is a separate, informal euphemistic use of altogether as a noun. It is uncommon in everyday modern writing and is not the usual meaning of the word.

For ordinary grammar and spelling questions, the important distinction remains altogether for completeness or totals and all together for groups or simultaneous actions.

Usage Tips

Use these practical strategies to remember the difference.

1. Remember the Meaning of the Single Word

Altogether = completely or in total.

Think of one word expressing one complete amount or idea.

Examples:

• The bill came to $90 altogether.
• The plan was abandoned altogether.

2. Think of All as Referring to a Group

All together = everyone or everything together.

The word all highlights the people or things included in the group.

Examples:

• We were all together at the celebration.
• Put the books all together on the desk.

3. Try Replacing Altogether With Completely

If completely or in total fits naturally, altogether is usually the right choice.

• The business closed altogether.
• The total was $150 altogether.

4. Check Whether the Sentence Describes a Group

If the sentence describes people gathering, objects being grouped, or individuals performing an action at the same time, consider all together.

• The players stood all together.
• We all worked together to finish the task.

5. Read the Sentence for Meaning

Do not rely only on how the expression sounds. Read the complete sentence and ask whether it refers to a total or a group.

This simple habit can help you avoid the most common spelling mistakes.

Expert Suggestion

As a grammar teacher, I recommend learning these expressions through contrasting examples rather than memorizing their spellings in isolation.

For students and ESL learners, focus on the difference between completeness or totality and collective action or grouping.

For professional writers and content creators, review sentences containing either expression and ask:

• Am I expressing a total or complete change? Use altogether.
• Am I describing people or things gathered or acting together? Use all together.

When proofreading, pay special attention to sentences involving money, quantities, canceled services, group activities, and gatherings. These contexts make the intended meaning easier to identify.

Summary

Altogether and all together are both correct, but they have different meanings.

• Altogether means completely, entirely, in total, or on the whole. Example: The repairs cost $400 altogether.
• All together means everyone or everything in one place, as a group, or at the same time. Example: The students worked all together.
• Use altogether for totals, complete changes, and overall judgments.
• Use all together for group activities, shared locations, and simultaneous actions.
• Both forms are standard in American and British English.

The simplest rule is to remember that altogether refers to completeness or a total, while all together refers to a group acting or being together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is altogether one word or two?

Altogether is one word. It is an adverb meaning completely, entirely, or in total. The two-word form, all together, has a different meaning and refers to people or things grouped or acting together.

What is the difference between altogether and all together?

Altogether means completely, in total, or on the whole. All together means everyone or everything in one place or doing something at the same time.

Which is correct, altogether or all together?

Both are correct in standard English. Choose altogether for completeness or totals and all together for collective action or grouping.

Does altogether mean completely?

Yes. Altogether can mean completely or entirely. For example, “The company stopped the service altogether” means that the service stopped completely.

Does altogether mean in total?

Yes. Altogether commonly means in total when referring to quantities, prices, people, or time. For example, “The books cost $50 altogether.”

Can all together mean at the same time?

Yes. All together can describe people doing something simultaneously. For example, “The students answered all together” means they answered at the same time.

Is all together grammatically correct?

Yes. All together is a standard English expression when referring to people or things gathered in one place or acting collectively.

Is altogether formal or informal?

Altogether is suitable for both formal and informal writing. It is commonly used in professional reports, academic writing, everyday conversation, and general prose.

Is all together one word in American English?

No. In standard American English, all together is written as two words when referring to a group or simultaneous action. Altogether is one word when expressing completeness or a total.

Is the difference between altogether and all together the same in British English?

Yes. The same basic distinction applies in British English. Both forms are used, and the intended meaning determines the correct spelling.

Can I use altogether to mean everyone together?

Not usually. When you mean that everyone is gathered in one place or acting as a group, use all together. Use altogether when you mean completely, in total, or on the whole.

How do I remember the difference between altogether and all together?

Remember that altogether is one word meaning completely or in total. All together contains the separate word all, which emphasizes everyone or everything in a group.

What does all together mean in a sentence?

All together means that people or things are gathered or involved collectively. For example, “The family sat all together at the table” means the family members sat as a group.

Can altogether be used at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes. Altogether can begin a sentence when introducing an overall judgment or summary. For example, “Altogether, the project was a success.”

Is in the altogether a correct expression?

Yes. In the altogether is an old-fashioned, informal expression meaning naked. It is a separate usage from the more common meanings of altogether, such as completely or in total.