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Grammar fix

all in all

overall / summarising

Used to sum up or give a general conclusion about a situation after considering all the details.

expressionC1common

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • All in all, it was a great trip despite the weather.daily life
  • All in all, I think technology has made our lives easier, even though it sometimes creates new problems.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: all in all, [clause]

WrongAll in all of it, the trip was great.

RightAll in all, the trip was great.

It's a fixed opener — don't add 'of it'.

Patternall in all, [clause]

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff Upon comprehensive consideration of all the relevant factors, the trip was satisfactory.

Natural All in all, it went pretty well.

The chunk signals a wrap-up in three words; the formal version takes a whole clause.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • all in all + summary
    it wasa goodnot badI'd say

Don't confuse it

'All in all' is more informal and spoken than 'overall' or 'in conclusion', which are used more in writing or formal speech.

Try it in Daily Speak →