Is it everyone, everybody or all?


Everyone, everybody and all emerged from the same class. Class of the indefinite pronouns. One reason why they are difficult to distinguish. In fact, many regard the trio as one. That is, many people think they have no difference.

Merriam Webster dictionary defined everyone as the definition of everybody and everybody as synonym of everyone. This is akin to what the Oxford dictionary also has.

According to the two mentioned dictionaries, all is almost close to everyone and everybody. It solely means completely and entirely. 

However, the trio although are meaning linked but they have slight differences which are very important to be noted. 

   Everybody

Everybody is an indefinite pronoun derived from the word "body". It is a type of pronoun that solely means all people or everyone. Thus, when everybody is mentioned at any occasion, it means every individual.    

Everyone

Everyone is an indefinite pronoun gotten from the word "one". One could mean a person, a thing or an entity. However, since every is added to it, it becomes all individual. That is each person or thing or entity. It also means every individual.

All

All is an indefinite pronoun similar to everybody and everyone. If generally means complete or whole.


At this juncture, as one of those who classify everyone, everybody and all under the same definition, you are not wrong and not completely right. 


 The difference between everyone, everybody and all
The fact is the trio has same definition that made them one.Their differences is so tiny that anyone may not think about and many people are not aware. Let's begin.

Everyone is the pronoun that best fit for formality in the sense that it is more formal than everybody and all.

Everyone is sleeping.
Everyone should listen.

These are accurate for any occasion.

Everybody is less formal. It is commonly used for communicating or spoken language. It is so apt for informal occasion such as discussing or chatty moments with friends.

Everybody is crying
Give the pen to everybody.

These examples are correct but not completely apt for official purposes. You may repeatedly read them out for comprehensive knowledge when compared to everyone.

All is more than been an indefinite pronoun. It can also be a determiner, an adjective,a noun and also an adverb depending on the context. Other than that, all is the most foregrounded indefinite pronoun in that it captures both everyone and everybody. It solely means entirely, wholly, completely, every and the likes. So, when the word all is mentioned, you think of every individual without leaving a single entity.

All is also less formal and it does not feel such formal occasions. Mainly because when it is used for official purpose, it sounds like the user is not speaking professionally.

Good evening all.

This sounds like the user spoke shabbily and unprofessionally. (In my view), all doesn't suit formal occasions.

All of you should meet me at my office.

Are you getting the idea now? This is another example that illustrates all from the unprofessional level. The speaker is probably a teacher or trainer but the sentence sounds like he isn't giving any respect to his students. You know the kind of respect right?

It worth to say everyone, everybody and all have the same definition but one has to be choosy at the formal level. To be at a safer side, everyone best suits formal occasions while everybody and all can be used for other occurrences.


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