All is or All are: Which Is Correct?
Updated · Which One Is Correct editorial team
Quick answer: The choice between all is and all are depends entirely on what all refers to in your sentence. Use all is when discussing something uncountable or singular, and use all are when referring to a plural group. Getting this right ensures your subject and verb agree perfectly.
The Short Answer
Use all is with uncountable or singular sense, and use all are with plural nouns. This distinction ensures that your verb agrees with the actual quantity or nature of the subject you are describing in the sentence.
People often confuse these forms because the word all stands alone at the start of many sentences, hiding the true subject. Without seeing the noun immediately after, writers may guess the verb number incorrectly, leading to awkward phrasing.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Form | Status | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| all is | Correct | referring to a single concept or mass noun |
| all are | Correct | referring to multiple distinct items or people |
| all is | Grammatical | the subject is abstract like hope or joy |
| all are | Grammatical | the subject is countable like cars or friends |
Correct Example Sentences
- All is quiet in the house now that the children have gone to sleep.
- All are welcome to join us for the annual holiday dinner this evening.
- All is lost if we do not secure the perimeter before sunrise arrives.
- All are present and accounted for during the mandatory safety inspection today.
- All is well that ends well, so do not worry about the minor setbacks.
- All are required to submit their final reports by the end of the week.
- All is revealed in the final chapter of this gripping mystery novel.
- All are invited to the gallery opening this Friday evening in the city.
- All is forgiven if you promise to clean your room before dinner time.
- All are ready to leave as soon as the bus arrives at the curb.
Common Mistakes and Fixes
- All are happy with the single result we achieved today.
- All is happy with the single result we achieved today.
- All is ready for the party, including all the guests.
- All are ready for the party, including all the guests.
- All are silence in the room during the important speech.
- All is silence in the room during the important speech.
- All is broken, including the chairs and the tables.
- All are broken, including the chairs and the tables.
- All are good fortune awaits you in the coming year.
- All is good fortune awaits you in the coming year.
- All is invited to the meeting, despite the small group size.
- All are invited to the meeting, despite the small group size.
A Quick Test You Can Use
Ask yourself if you can replace the word all with they or it in your head. If it sounds natural to say they are, then use all are. If it sounds better to say it is, then stick with all is to match the singular or mass concept.
Related Word Pairs
- its vs it's
- Use its for possession and it's only for it is.
- their vs there
- Use their for ownership and there for a place.
- your vs you're
- Use your for possession and you're for you are.
- loose vs lose
- Use loose for not tight and lose for missing out.
- accept vs except
- Use accept to receive and except to exclude.
More Example Sentences
- All is calm in the harbor as the storm passes far to the north.
- All are eager to begin the new project with fresh ideas and energy.
- All is prepared for the wedding ceremony in the garden pavilion.
- All are required to wear safety helmets inside the construction zone.
- All is forgiven once you have sincerely apologized for the mistake.
- All are welcome to attend the town hall meeting this Thursday night.
- All is lost if we fail to secure the contract before the deadline.
- All are present and ready to vote on the final proposal today.
- All is quiet in the library while the students study for exams.
- All are invited to the charity gala to support local animal shelters.
Quick Practice
ready for the long journey ahead.
All are
well with the changes made to the schedule.
All is
happy to see the results of the hard work.
All are
clear that we need to save more money this month.
All is
waiting for the teacher to start the class.
All are
done now that the cleanup is complete.
All is
Frequently Asked Questions
Can all be both singular and plural?
Yes, the word all can function as either a singular or plural subject depending on the noun it refers to. It changes form to match the quantity of the items mentioned.
When should I use all is?
You should use all is when the subject is a mass noun or a singular concept. This includes abstract ideas like happiness, or collective states like silence and peace.
Is all are always correct for people?
Usually, yes, because people are plural. However, if you are referring to humanity as a single collective entity, you might use all is, but all are is safer for groups.
How do I know which verb to pick?
Look at the noun all refers to. If it is one thing or a mass noun, pick is. If it is many distinct things, pick are to ensure proper subject-verb agreement.
