When all is said and done
Academic essay writing expression
Use this to highlight the ultimate truth or result after considering all the complex details.
En 15 secondes
- Used to summarize the most important final result.
- Perfect for academic conclusions or big life reflections.
- Signals that you are looking at the big picture.
Signification
This phrase is used to summarize a situation after considering all the facts. It highlights the most important point or the final result that truly matters.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Reflecting on a vacation
We had some flight delays, but when all is said and done, it was a wonderful trip.
We had some flight delays, but in the end, it was a wonderful trip.
Writing a university history essay
When all is said and done, the revolution changed the social fabric of the country forever.
Ultimately, the revolution changed the social fabric of the country forever.
Texting a friend about a breakup
It hurts now, but when all is said and done, we just weren't right for each other.
It hurts now, but the bottom line is we weren't right for each other.
Contexte culturel
The phrase has roots in early English literature and is often associated with a philosophical or reflective outlook on life. It gained massive pop-culture status in the 1980s, partly due to the ABBA song of the same name, which deals with the end of a relationship. In modern culture, it is the 'go-to' phrase for politicians and CEOs who want to sound decisive and thoughtful.
The Punctuation Trick
Always put a comma after the phrase if it starts your sentence. It creates a 'dramatic pause' that makes your final point hit harder.
Don't be a 'Drama Queen'
Avoid using this for small choices like what pizza topping to get. It makes you sound unnecessarily dramatic and can be exhausting for listeners.
En 15 secondes
- Used to summarize the most important final result.
- Perfect for academic conclusions or big life reflections.
- Signals that you are looking at the big picture.
What It Means
Think of this phrase as the 'bottom line.' Imagine you are cleaning your messy room. You find old toys. You find lost socks. You find a lot of dust. But the main point is that your room is now clean. When all is said and done focuses on that final result. It ignores the small details and looks at the big picture. It is like taking a deep breath after a long day. You look back and decide what actually mattered.
How To Use It
You usually place this phrase at the very beginning of a sentence. Follow it with a comma to let the reader breathe. For example: When all is said and done, we had a great time. You can also put it at the end of a sentence for a dramatic finish. It acts as a signal. It tells people, 'Listen up, I am about to tell you the most important part.' It is a very powerful way to wrap up a long story or a complex argument.
When To Use It
This is a superstar phrase for academic essays. It helps you conclude your points with style. Use it when you are making a big life decision. It is great for deep conversations with friends about the future. You might use it in a business meeting to summarize a project. It shows that you have thought about every detail. It makes you sound reflective and wise. Use it when you want to sound like the adult in the room.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for tiny, unimportant things. If you are just choosing between a latte or a tea, it is too much. When all is said and done, I chose the tea. That sounds like the tea changed your entire life! Avoid using it in fast, casual texts where you need to be brief. Also, try not to use it more than once in a conversation. If you keep saying it, the 'final' point starts to feel less final. It can become annoying if overused.
Cultural Background
This expression has been part of English for centuries. It suggests a sense of final judgment or a closing chapter. It is very common in Western literature and famous speeches. It reflects a cultural value of looking for the 'ultimate truth' in a situation. Even famous pop songs, like those by ABBA, use this phrase. It resonates with people because everyone wants to know what truly matters in the end.
Common Variations
The most common 'cousin' of this phrase is at the end of the day. That one is a bit more casual and very common in the UK. If you want to be very fancy in a science paper, use in the final analysis. If you are in a hurry, you can just say ultimately. All of these do the same job. They help you cut through the noise and get to the point.
Notes d'usage
This phrase is neutral to formal. It is highly effective in academic writing to signal a final, synthesized thought. Avoid overusing it in casual conversation to prevent sounding repetitive or overly dramatic.
The Punctuation Trick
Always put a comma after the phrase if it starts your sentence. It creates a 'dramatic pause' that makes your final point hit harder.
Don't be a 'Drama Queen'
Avoid using this for small choices like what pizza topping to get. It makes you sound unnecessarily dramatic and can be exhausting for listeners.
The ABBA Connection
If you want to hear this phrase in action, listen to ABBA's song 'When All Is Said and Done'. It perfectly captures the 'final reflection' mood of the expression.
Exemples
6We had some flight delays, but when all is said and done, it was a wonderful trip.
We had some flight delays, but in the end, it was a wonderful trip.
Used here to show that the good parts outweighed the bad parts.
When all is said and done, the revolution changed the social fabric of the country forever.
Ultimately, the revolution changed the social fabric of the country forever.
A classic academic use to summarize a complex historical event.
It hurts now, but when all is said and done, we just weren't right for each other.
It hurts now, but the bottom line is we weren't right for each other.
Provides a sense of closure and acceptance in a personal situation.
When all is said and done, we learned more from our mistakes than from our successes.
In the end, we learned more from our mistakes than from our successes.
Professional way to find a 'silver lining' or key lesson.
I bought the shoes and the gear, but when all is said and done, I still prefer the couch.
I bought the gear, but the truth is I still prefer the couch.
Uses the dramatic tone of the phrase for a funny, relatable contrast.
The kitchen is small, but when all is said and done, the location is perfect.
The kitchen is small, but the most important thing is the location.
Used to weigh pros and cons and state the deciding factor.
Teste-toi
Choose the best option to complete the summary of a business deal.
The negotiations were long, but ___, both companies benefited.
The standard idiom is 'when all is said and done.' The other options are common misquotations.
Complete the sentence to show a final conclusion.
___, health is more important than wealth.
This phrase is used to state a fundamental truth after considering other factors like money or work.
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Aides visuelles
Formality Spectrum of Summary Phrases
Used with close friends or family.
At the end of the day...
Versatile for both speech and writing.
When all is said and done...
Used in academic or legal contexts.
In the final analysis...
Where to use 'When all is said and done'
Academic Essay
Summarizing a thesis.
Life Advice
Talking about what matters.
Business
Reviewing a yearly budget.
Relationships
Ending a long argument.
Questions fréquentes
11 questionsIt is not too formal, but it is 'heavy.' Use it in a text only if you are talking about something serious, like a big decision or a deep feeling.
Technically people would understand you, but it sounds wrong. The fixed order is always said then done.
In conclusion is a functional tool for essays. When all is said and done is more emotional and reflective. It suggests you are sharing a deeper truth.
Yes, it can be. In business writing, some people think it is overused. Try to use it only when the conclusion is truly significant.
Yes, but it is rare. For example: 'It was, when all is said and done, a mistake.' It usually requires commas on both sides.
Almost exactly. At the end of the day is slightly more common in casual British English, while When all is said and done feels a bit more literary.
Usually, no. It is a concluding phrase. It implies that a lot of talking or thinking has already happened.
Yes! It is a great 'discourse marker' that shows you can organize complex thoughts and use idiomatic language.
That is a mistake. You are likely mixing it up with the phrase 'Dead and gone.' Stick to said and done.
It is used equally in both. It is a universal English idiom.
No. Even though it says 'said,' it refers to the entire process of discussing, thinking, and acting.
Expressions liées
At the end of the day
The most important fact after everything else is considered.
In the final analysis
A very formal way to state a final conclusion.
Ultimately
Finally; in the end.
The bottom line
The most important or fundamental part of a situation.
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