Certain sets of words in the English language tend to confuse people. I have found the following to be among them:
ALL TOGETHER / ALTOGETHER
The term all together is composed of two adverbs and means as a group.
The word altogether is also an adverb (except when used as a noun, often with “the,” to mean nude: I had just stepped out of the shower and so was still in the altogether when the doorbell rang) and has several meanings: completely, in all, and on the whole.
INCORRECT: Shall we go altogether in one vehicle or take two cars?
CORRECT: Shall we go all together in one vehicle or take two cars?
INCORRECT: That is all together the best idea I’ve heard in years.
CORRECT: That is altogether the best idea I’ve heard in years.
ALSO CORRECT: We met all together at a retreat and agreed that though the project cost more than expected, it was altogether successful.
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