Tuesday, September 23, 2014

syntax - "turn them all off" or "turn all them off"?



"turn them all off" 84,800 results



"turn all them off" 63,200 results




both are correct?


Answer



The second is INCORRECT. (unless that was a typo)



The phrase "turn all of them off" is correct, however.



The stress is different in these two phrases, however. For most uses, the difference between these two is quite subtle, so nothing to worry about.



In the second phrase you can put the emphasis on "THEM"




So, you could say: "Turn all of THEM off" (pointing to a specific set of light switches)



Using the first phrase in like manner sounds awkward.


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