How to use "all things considered"

What Does "all things considered" Mean?

• Grammatical function: It expresses a concessive or summative relationship, introducing a conclusion or judgment after taking multiple factors into account. It signals that despite potential drawbacks or complexities, a particular assessment is valid.
• Typical sentence position: Initial, medial, or final.
• Register: Neutral

How to Use It

• Syntactic patterns: It is typically followed by a comma and a clause expressing the conclusion. It can be preceded by a statement of facts or circumstances that are being considered.
• Punctuation rules: A comma is almost always used after "all things considered" when it appears at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence. When it appears at the end, a comma usually precedes it.
• Grammatical flexibility: It can start a sentence, be moved within a sentence (though less common), but it's not typically negated directly (e.g., "not all things considered" is unusual).
• What sounds unnatural or incorrect: Using it in highly formal contexts where more precise or academic connectives are expected might sound out of place. Also, omitting the comma after the phrase can make the sentence feel disjointed.

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from all things considered on Ludwig.guru.

"All things considered." — The New Yorker

"All things considered, a win." — The New York Times

"But all things considered, probably not." — The New York Times - Sports

"A steep price, actually, all things considered." — The New Yorker

"All things considered, Baird did exceptional work." — The New Yorker

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/all+things+considered

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
taking everything into account	Slightly more formal; emphasizes a comprehensive evaluation.
on balance	Suggests a careful weighing of pros and cons, leading to a balanced judgment.
when everything is said and done	Indicates a final assessment after a process or event has concluded.
considering everything	A direct synonym, slightly less idiomatic.
all in all	More concise and general, summarizing overall impressions.
in light of everything	Emphasizes that the conclusion is based on new information or circumstances.
given the circumstances	Highlights the specific conditions influencing the conclusion.

Common Mistakes

• Using it in highly formal academic writing when a more precise connective is needed.
• Omitting the comma after "all things considered" when it begins a sentence.
• Learners often confuse it with similar phrases like 'considering all things' or use it in inappropriate formal contexts, not realizing its transitional function.

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Function	Register	Typical Position
All things considered	Concessive/Summative	Neutral	Initial, Medial, Final

FAQs

Where can "all things considered" appear in a sentence?

"All things considered" is quite flexible. It can appear at the beginning of a sentence, followed by a comma, to introduce a conclusion. It can also be placed in the middle or at the end of a sentence, usually set off by commas, to add a summarizing thought.

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How does "all things considered" differ from "in conclusion"?

While both phrases introduce a summary or final thought, "all things considered" implies a more nuanced evaluation of various factors. "In conclusion" is more direct and formal, signaling the end of an argument or discussion without necessarily implying a weighing of different considerations.

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Is "considering all things" the same as "all things considered"?

Not quite. While they share a similar meaning, "all things considered" is the more idiomatic and commonly used phrase. "Considering all things" sounds slightly less natural and is less frequently used in both spoken and written English. Using the established phrase will make your writing sound more fluent and natural.