All and all of (with pronouns)

Free grammar tips, lessons and tests			Recommended purchases
This site: Grammar Monster on line	Daily tips with Grammar Monster's gadget	Daily tips with Grammar Monster on Twitter	The best grammar reference books	Grammar Monster off line	The only grammar checker we'll endorse
Common grammar errors Easily confused words Grammar terms & definitions Grammar tests Grammar lessons Search this site

ALL / ALL OF

'All of' should only be used with words like us, you, it, him and her (i.e., pronouns).

Using All and All Of

There is often confusion over 'all' and 'all of'. 'All of' should only be used when the next word is a pronoun (e.g., us, you, it, him, her).

Examples:

All of us...

All of you...

All of it...

Do not use 'all of' for normal nouns - just use 'all'.

Examples:

All the soldiers...

All the nurses...

I need all of the chairs.

(The word 'chairs' is not a pronoun.)

All of the divers returned safely.

EITHER NOWADAYS

The rule shown to the left is considered by many to be outdated. Nowadays, it is acceptable to use whichever you think sounds best.

Don't eat all the cake.

Don't eat all of the cake.

Associated lessons:

Using all right or alright
Test 'All and All of'
What are pronouns?