Altogether and all together look almost the same, so it is easy to mix them up. They sound very similar when spoken, but they do not have the same meaning.
The main difference is simple:
- Altogether is one word. It usually means completely, entirely, or in total.
- All together is two words. It means everyone or everything in one group or place.
For example:
- The movie was altogether enjoyable.
Here, altogether means completely or entirely. - The children stood all together for a photo.
Here, all together means the children were in one group.
Once you understand this small difference, choosing the correct form becomes much easier.
Quick Answer: Altogether vs. All Together
Here is the easiest way to remember the difference:
- Altogether = completely, entirely, or in total.
- All together = all people or things being together.
- Altogether is always written as one word.
- All together is written as two words.
- Use altogether when you are talking about a total, whole, or complete situation.
- Use all together when you mean that people or things are gathered as a group.
Quick examples
Altogether:
- There were altogether 25 students in the class.
- The plan was altogether different from what I expected.
- I stopped eating sweets altogether.
All together:
- The family sat all together at dinner.
- The players walked onto the field all together.
- Put the books all together on this shelf.
A useful question to ask yourself is:
Does the sentence mean “completely/in total,” or does it mean “everyone/everything together”?
That question will usually give you the answer.
A Simple Look at the Background
The two forms developed from the same basic idea of things being joined or considered as a whole. Over time, altogether became a single word with meanings such as completely and in total.
All together, however, kept its separate-word meaning. The word all describes the people or things, while together tells us that they are in the same place, group, or action.
Compare these:
We were altogether surprised.
This means we were completely surprised.
We were all together in the room.
This means everyone was in the room as one group.
The spelling is different because the meanings are different.
What Does “Altogether” Mean?
Altogether is an adverb. It commonly has three related meanings:
1. Completely or entirely
When altogether means completely, it tells us that something happens fully or without anything left.
Examples:
- She stopped using the app altogether.
- The situation is altogether different now.
- He avoided the subject altogether.
In the first sentence, she did not simply use the app less. She stopped using it completely.
2. In total
Altogether can also mean in total when talking about numbers or amounts.
Examples:
- Altogether, we collected 150 dollars.
- There were altogether 40 guests at the event.
- The three boxes weigh 20 kilograms altogether.
Here, altogether adds the separate amounts together to give one total.
3. On the whole
Sometimes altogether is used to give an overall opinion or judgment.
Example:
- The trip was altogether a pleasant experience.
This means that, when everything is considered, the trip was pleasant overall.
What Does “All Together” Mean?
All together means everyone or everything being together.
It describes people or things that are gathered in the same place, group, or situation.
Examples with people
- The students sat all together.
- Let’s take a picture with everyone all together.
- The family ate dinner all together.
In each sentence, the people are acting or staying as one group.
Examples with things
- Keep all the documents all together.
- The tools were placed all together in one box.
- Put the toys all together before you leave.
Here, different objects are gathered in the same place.
A useful test
Try adding “in one group” to the sentence.
If the meaning still makes sense, all together may be correct.
For example:
The children stood all together.
→ The children stood in one group.
That works.
Altogether vs. All Together: Comparison Table
| Feature | Altogether | All Together |
|---|---|---|
| Number of words | One | Two |
| Basic meaning | Completely, entirely, or in total | Everyone or everything in one group |
| Common use | Describes a total or complete action | Describes people or things being together |
| Example | I quit altogether. | We stayed all together. |
| Can mean “in total”? | Yes | No |
| Can mean “completely”? | Yes | No |
| Refers to a group? | Not usually | Yes |
| Easy memory clue | One word = one whole | Two words = all in one group |
How to Know Which One to Use
Choosing between these words becomes easy if you look at the meaning rather than the spelling.
Use “altogether” for “completely”
Ask:
Does this mean completely or entirely?
If yes, use altogether.
- He left the project altogether.
- The design was altogether new.
- She avoided the topic altogether.
Use “altogether” for “in total”
Ask:
Am I adding things or amounts to get one total?
If yes, use altogether.
- We spent $80 altogether.
- There were ten questions altogether.
- Altogether, five teams entered the competition.
Use “all together” for a group
Ask:
Are all the people or things physically or mentally together?
If yes, use all together.
- The students worked all together.
- We traveled all together.
- The books were kept all together.
Common Mistakes
Because these expressions sound alike, learners often use them incorrectly.
Mistake 1: Using “all together” for “completely”
Incorrect:
I stopped drinking coffee all together.
If you mean that you stopped completely, the better choice is:
I stopped drinking coffee altogether.
Mistake 2: Using “altogether” for people gathered as a group
Incorrect:
The whole family sat altogether in the living room.
If your meaning is that the family members sat in one group, all together is clearer:
The whole family sat all together in the living room.
However, context matters. In some sentences, altogether can sound possible because it may carry an “in total” or “as a whole” meaning. When you specifically mean people gathered in one group, all together is the safest choice.
Mistake 3: Confusing “altogether” with “all”
Consider:
There are 30 students altogether.
This means:
There are 30 students in total.
It does not mean that all 30 students are standing in the same place.
If you want to describe their location or group:
The 30 students are all together in the hall.
Mistake 4: Thinking the number of words tells the whole story
It is tempting to think that you can simply memorize:
One word = this
Two words = that
That helps, but understanding the meaning is more useful.
Always ask what you are trying to say:
- total or completely? → altogether
- everyone or everything in one group? → all together
Everyday Examples
These expressions appear often in normal conversations and writing.
In emails
Altogether:
The repairs will cost $500 altogether.
Meaning: the total cost is $500.
All together:
Please send all the files all together in one email.
Meaning: send the files as one group.
In school
Altogether:
There are 50 questions altogether.
Meaning: there are 50 questions in total.
All together:
The students read the story all together.
Meaning: the students read it as a group.
In the news
Altogether:
The storm caused altogether $2 million in damage.
Meaning: the total damage was $2 million.
All together:
The leaders appeared all together at the event.
Meaning: the leaders appeared as a group.
On social media
Altogether:
I deleted the old photos altogether.
Meaning: all of them were deleted completely.
All together:
We finally got everyone all together for a group photo.
Meaning: everyone was present together.
In daily conversation
Altogether:
I decided to leave the job altogether.
Meaning: I decided to leave completely.
All together:
Let’s sit all together.
Meaning: let’s sit in one group.
A Simple Learning Trick for Students
Here is a quick memory trick:
Think of “altogether” as “one whole”
Altogether has a meaning connected to a whole, complete result, or total.
I paid $100 altogether.
Think:
$100 in total.
She stopped altogether.
Think:
She stopped completely.
Think of “all together” as “all in one group”
The two words give you a helpful clue:
all + together = all in the same group
The children stood all together.
Think:
All the children stood in one group.
Practice: Choose the Correct Form
Try these sentences before looking at the answers.
- We spent $75 ________.
- The children sat ________ in the classroom.
- She stopped eating meat ________.
- There were 20 people ________.
- Let’s stay ________ during the trip.
- He ignored the message ________.
Answers
- altogether — $75 in total
- all together — the children sat as a group
- altogether — she stopped completely
- altogether — 20 people in total
- all together — everyone should stay as a group
- altogether — he completely ignored it
FAQs:
1. Is “altogether” one word?
Yes. Altogether is written as one word.
Example:
The books cost $60 altogether.
2. Is “all together” two words?
Yes. All together is written as two separate words when it means people or things being together.
Example:
The students stood all together.
Yes. This is one of its most common meanings.
3. Does “altogether” mean “in total”?
Example:
There were 100 guests altogether.
This means there were 100 guests in total.
4. Does “altogether” mean “completely”?
Yes. It can mean completely or entirely.
Example:
She stopped watching television altogether.
This means she stopped completely.
5. Does “all together” mean “everyone together”?
Yes. It can describe people or things gathered as one group.
Example:
The family was all together for the holiday.
6. Can “all together” describe things?
Yes. It can describe objects as well as people.
Example:
Put all the papers all together on the desk.
The papers are being placed in one group or location.
7. How can I remember the difference?
Use this simple rule:
Altogether = completely or in total.
All together = all in one group.
If you remember these two ideas, you will get most sentences right.
8. Which one should I use in formal writing?
Both are correct, but the meaning decides which one you need. Use altogether for meanings such as completely or in total, and use all together when you mean that people or things are gathered as a group.
Conclusion
Altogether and all together are easy to confuse because they sound almost identical, but their meanings are different.
Remember the simple rule:
- Altogether = completely, entirely, or in total
- All together = all in one group or place
Compare:
I stopped using the service altogether.
This means I stopped completely.
We sat all together at the table.
This means we sat as one group.
When you are unsure, ask yourself what the sentence means. If you are talking about a total or something being complete, choose altogether. If you are talking about people or things being together as a group, choose all together.
With a little practice, this small spelling difference will become easy to recognize in writing, schoolwork, emails, conversations, and everyday English.
Donald Andrew is the creative mind behind PunsJet.com, where he shares clever wordplay and humorous puns for readers around the world. With a passion for language and comedy, Donald enjoys crafting witty jokes that bring smiles to everyday conversations. His goal is to make humor simple, fun, and easy to share.
