The phrase “in every respect” and its variant “in all respects” have coexisted in written usage for several centuries. Their difference is not a spelling mistake, but a precise grammatical distinction that we will dissect.
Grammatical nature of “tout”: adverb or indefinite adjective
The confusion between the two forms arises from a point that most guides gloss over: “tout” changes its grammatical nature depending on the chosen form. In “in every respect,” “tout” functions as an adverb. It is synonymous with “totally,” “perfectly.” It remains invariable, just like in “all together” or “simply.”
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In “in all respects,” “tout” becomes an indefinite adjective again. It means “each” or “the entirety of” and agrees in number with “respects.” The phrase then implies that several distinct aspects, several criteria, are being reviewed.
This distinction explains why a text that corresponds in every respect or in all respects to a given standard does not have exactly the same semantic value depending on the spelling chosen. The singular emphasizes overall conformity, while the plural emphasizes detailed conformity, criterion by criterion.
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Divergence between reference dictionaries on singular and plural
The major French dictionaries do not align on the preferred form, and this is a point that we rarely observe in mainstream articles.
The Dictionary of the French Academy (9th edition) only retains “in every respect” as an adverbial phrase. No example with “in all respects” is included, marking a clear normative preference for the singular.
Le Robert online takes a different position: it treats both forms as synonymous fixed phrases, without establishing a hierarchy of correctness between them. For Le Robert, writing one or the other is a stylistic choice, not a strict rule.
This divergence has practical consequences for professional writing. A proofreader relying on the Academy will systematically correct “in all respects” to the singular. Another, trained on Le Robert, will accept both without hesitation. The choice of reference affects correctness.
Usage trend in contemporary French: which form dominates
Corpora of Francophone press from the 2010s to today show a clear trend. The form “in every respect” is gaining ground, while “in all respects” is declining in general press articles. The singular has become the dominant form in careful contemporary writing.
This evolution does not invalidate the plural. It reflects a gradual simplification of written language, where the invariable adverbial form prevails over the adjectival construction. The same phenomenon affects other phrases where “tout” hesitates between adverb and adjective.
When the plural remains relevant
The plural retains its legitimacy when the sentence enumerates or implies several distinct elements. We recommend “in all respects” in the following contexts:
- Detailed comparison between two objects or two situations, where each criterion is reviewed: “This model complies in all respects with the specifications.”
- Legal or contractual context, where compliance is assessed against a list of explicit requirements: “The delivered product must correspond in all respects to the description in the order form.”
- Sentence that already contains a plural referring to the relevant aspects: “These results are satisfactory in all respects.”
When the singular is necessary
The singular is more suitable when the idea expressed is global, without detailing the criteria. It functions as an adverb of totality:
- Synthetic judgment: “This film is successful in every respect.”
- Pure adverbial use, replaceable by “perfectly” or “totally”: “His performance was remarkable in every respect.”
- Formal or literary register, where the adverbial invariability of “tout” is the norm.
Consistency rule in a document: decide once
Internal style guides in professional writing converge on one principle: choose one form and stick to it throughout the document. Alternating “in every respect” and “in all respects” throughout the same text creates an inconsistency visible to an attentive reader or proofreader.
The practical recommendation we make is summarized in three points. Check the reference framework in use within the organization (writing charter, in-house style guide). In the absence of directives, favor the singular, which follows the dominant trend and the Academy’s preference. Document this choice so that all writers apply the same rule.
This discipline also applies to similar phrases. “In every respect” and “in all respects” follow exactly the same logic. Consistency across a text weighs more than the choice itself.
Frequent confusions with other uses of “tout” in French
The hesitation between singular and plural in “in every/all respect(s)” stems from a broader issue: the variable behavior of “tout” depending on its function in the sentence. Adjective, pronoun, adverb, or noun, “tout” changes form and meaning.
Before a feminine adjective starting with a consonant, “tout” as an adverb takes an “e”: “she is all surprised.” Before a feminine adjective starting with a vowel, it remains invariable: “she is all astonished.” These exceptions show that the French language treats “tout” irregularly, which fuels confusions about fixed phrases like “in every respect.”
The most reliable reflex remains the substitution test. If “perfectly” or “totally” replaces the phrase without loss of meaning, the adverbial singular is appropriate. If the sentence highlights a plurality of criteria, the adjectival plural is justified. The answer to the question posed in the title is therefore twofold: both spellings are correct, but they do not convey exactly the same thing.