Altogether vs All Together: Completely or All at Once?
Quick Answer
Altogether (one word) means completely or in total: “That’s altogether different.” All together (two words) means everyone or everything in one place or at the same time: “Sing it all together!”
Altogether and All Together — See the Difference
Read these sentences. One is about a total or a complete change. The other is about a group doing something at once.
- The meal cost £80 altogether. (In total.)
- The family was all together at Christmas. (Everyone in one place.)
- That is an altogether different problem. (Completely different.)
- Now say it all together: “Good morning!” (Everyone at the same time.)
Did you see the pattern? Altogether talks about amounts and completeness. All together talks about a group.
| Form | Words | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| altogether | one word | completely / in total | He stopped smoking altogether. |
| all together | two words | everyone or everything at once | We were all together in one room. |
When to Use Altogether and When to Use All Together
Use this simple test: can you split the two words apart?
- If you can split them, you need two words. → “We were all together.” → “We were all in the room together.” ✓ Still works.
- If splitting breaks the sentence, you need one word. → “It cost £80 altogether.” → You cannot split it. ✗
Easy way to remember: All together = all of us together in a group. Altogether = totally, completely, in total.
The Rule in One Line: Altogether = completely / in total. All together = everyone at once.
How to Use Altogether and All Together in Everyday English
- “How much is that altogether?” (What is the total?)
- “Let’s put the chairs all together in a circle.” (In one group.)
- “He gave up sugar altogether.” (Completely.)
- “It was lovely to have the whole team all together again.” (Everyone in one place.)
- “Altogether, it was a great trip.” (Considering everything.)
You are doing great. Now let’s look at the mistakes many learners make.
The Most Common Mistake With Altogether
Even native speakers type the one-word form when they mean the group — so if you mix these up, you are not alone.
✗ “We sang the song altogether.” (you mean everyone sang at once)
✓ “We sang the song all together.”
✗ “That’s an all together different question.” (you mean completely)
✓ “That’s an altogether different question.”
How to remember: try to split the words: “all (of us) together” works → two words. If you cannot split it, write altogether.
Test Yourself: Altogether or All Together?
Choose the correct answer for each sentence. Click Check to see if you are right.
1. The bill came to £80 _______.
2. The family was _______ for the first time in years.
3. That is an _______ different question.
4. Now sing it _______, everyone!
5. After the injury, he stopped playing football _______.
Keep Going — You Are Building Something
You just learned the difference between altogether and all together. That is one more confusing pair you will never get wrong again.
Now for a phrase people get wrong in emails every single day: is it bear with me or bare with me? One asks for patience. The other accidentally asks someone to get undressed. Choose carefully!
Next lesson: Bear With Me or Bare With Me: Which Is Correct?
My name is Khamis Maiouf. I am the creator of the English Teacher Site, dedicated to providing valuable resources and insights for students around the world. With a passion for education and a commitment to helping students enhance their skills, I aim to make English teaching more effective and enjoyable for both educators and students.
