All vs. All of

Attribute	All	All of
Definition	Every one of a group	Every member of a specific group
Usage	Used to refer to a whole group or category	Used to specify each individual member of a group
Examples	All students must attend the meeting	All of the students in my class are hardworking

Definition

The words "all" and "all of" are both used to refer to the whole quantity or extent of something. However, they are used in slightly different contexts and have different nuances in meaning.

Usage

The word "all" is often used before a plural noun or pronoun to refer to the entire quantity or extent of something. For example, "All students must attend the meeting." On the other hand, "all of" is used before a determiner or pronoun to emphasize the entirety of something. For example, "All of the students must attend the meeting."

Emphasis

One key difference between "all" and "all of" is the emphasis they place on the entirety of something. "All" is more general and can be used in a broader sense, while "all of" is more specific and emphasizes the completeness of a group or collection.

Clarity

Using "all of" can sometimes make a sentence clearer and more specific. For example, "I ate all the cookies" could be ambiguous, as it's unclear if the speaker ate every single cookie or just all the cookies that were available. On the other hand, "I ate all of the cookies" leaves no room for interpretation.

Formality

Another factor to consider when choosing between "all" and "all of" is the level of formality you want to convey. "All" is generally considered more formal and is often used in academic or professional writing, while "all of" is more commonly used in everyday speech and informal writing.

Examples

• "All students are required to wear uniforms."
• "All of the students in my class passed the exam."
• "She ate all the pizza by herself."
• "She ate all of the pizza on the table."

Conclusion

In conclusion, while both "all" and "all of" can be used to refer to the entirety of something, they have subtle differences in emphasis, clarity, and formality. Choosing between the two depends on the context and the level of specificity you want to convey in your writing or speech.