Altogether vs. All together

It was an altogether decision to agree to all terms all together.

If the above sentence has confused you to the core and you cannot decide if it’s right or wrong, worry not. We are here to help you with all your confusions here as English language can rather be tricky sometimes. Altogether and all together do not have similar meanings, which you might have believed all your acquitted life. This article will throw light on the meanings and usage of both of the words so your English teacher won’t be mad at you any longer.

Altogether as adverb:

With the simplest origin from the Old English, altogether means what it sounds like. It is used as an adverb and implies the meaning of completely and totally. He stopped seeing me altogether. It also means to include everything and everyone in consideration, or something in total. The prince married several times and had fifteen children altogether. Or, the company has three offices altogether. When something is taken on the whole or it is considered in an overall way.

Altogether, the party was great.

All together as phrase:

All together (two words) is a phrase of ‘all’ which is used in sentences where the meaning of all in one place or in a group or all at once is taken in account.

They arrived all together.

Examples:

As we enter the new legislative session, our state faces challenges that are daunting, yet not altogether impossible. (The Detroit News)

Altogether, I have 15 pairs in assorted colours and styles—an eye-watering financial outlay. (Daily Mail)

On several occasions, Mr. Obama’s planned trips have been delayed, altered, shifted, shrunk and even canceled altogether as domestic politics forced him to stay at home. (New York Times)

With many yachtsmen abandoning the region altogether, industries dependent on the routes are being devastated. (CTV)

The current system, however, did help bring it all together. (Washington Post)

All together now: “Gag me with a spoon! Grody to the max!” (Guardian)

But they began with an idea, and they put it all together using a blend of common sense, business smarts and even by being willing to take a punt. (The Australian)

We have lots of oil companies, yet gas is basically the same price everywhere and increased, as though in lockstep, all together. (Montreal Gazette)

Altogether or all together:

Reading the meanings of altogether and all together might still made you feel like they are more or less the same. You guessed right. Altogether (one word) distinctively means totally and entirely but it has another meaning which is similar to the meaning of all together, that is, all at once. So the word altogether can sometimes serve as a substitute to the phrase all together. It is however, important to note that all together phrase can never be used in place of the word altogether.

Did this article cleared your confusion about the two words altogether?