The phrase “all of the above” indicates similarity between items in a list, and can be used in conversation or on multiple-choice tests. “None of the above” expresses the lack of a similar feature, while “any of the above” allows for multiple options.
The phrase “all of the above” is used to indicate a similarity between items in a list. This similarity may be in features, benefits, use, or desirability. The list does not have to be physically printed above the sentence. In fact, when used in this way, the word “above” usually means “before” or “preceding” the phrase in print or conversation.
For example, someone might state that they are eating a lot of meat, fish, eggs and peanuts and might explain that it’s because all of the above are high in protein. In a print article extolling the benefits of a high-protein diet, the author might write a paragraph about meat, a paragraph about eggs, and so on. He could therefore conclude by stating that all the categories mentioned in the previous paragraphs are rich in protein.
“All of the above” is also often used in conversations as an answer to a question. For example, one man might ask another what he likes most about a new car: its style, its features, or its price. The second man might answer “all of the above,” meaning that he evaluates all aspects equally.
This sentence is also a common answer option on multiple-choice quizzes or tests that allow only one answer per question. For example, the question might be “which of the following has wheels?” Answer choices could be “a truck,” “a bicycle,” “a skateboard,” and “all of the above.” The correct answer would be “all” because selecting any other answer would imply that the other answers don’t have wheels. If the test allows the test taker to select more than one option, this sentence probably wouldn’t be listed as an answer.
The opposite of “all of the above” is “none of the above”. This phrase can also be used to express a similarity, but would express the lack of a similar feature rather than the presence of a similar feature; it could also indicate that the choices offered are all undesirable instead of indicating that all are desirable. For example, if a waiter asks if a customer would like butter, sour cream and cheese on his potato, he would say “all of the above” if he wants all of them or “none of the above” if he prefers it plain.
Another related phrase is “any of the above”. While “all” and “any of the above” are sometimes interchangeable, they can also represent very different answers. For example, if someone asks whether he should use standard pliers, needle nose pliers, or an adjustable wrench to turn a bolt, the answer would be “any of the above” because he’s unlikely to use them all at the same time.
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