Are "that's it" and "that's all" interchangeable? Is there any specific case where I should use one instead of the other?
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2Can you provide some example sentences so we have a broader context for these expressions?– Kristina LopezFeb 12, 2013 at 18:34
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1What about "That's all it is?"– FumbleFingersFeb 13, 2013 at 16:42
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I think the choice depends on the regional preferences of the people you are speaking to. I've noticed that in some places, saying "that's all" would invariably lead to a response of "huh?", "sorry?", "what did you say?".– FluxApr 7, 2019 at 8:02
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3 Answers
That's it is an expression that means:
1 that is the main point or difficulty: “Is she going?” “That's just it—she can't make up her mind.” 2 that is enough or the end: okay, that's it, you've cried long enough.
Ref: The OED
Or
- used to say that something has ended Well, that's it, we've finished - we can go home now. That's it! I'm not putting up with any more of her rudeness.
- used to say that something is correct You switch the computer on at the back. That's it.
Ref:Cambridge
That's all doesn't seem to be an expression all by itself, but means that there's nothing more to it, that's all you have to do, etc.
So in some cases, as in the second example from the Cambridge Dictionary, they could be used the same way with a slight difference in meaning.
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2"That's all doesn't seem to be an expression all by itself" -- You forget the Merrie Melodies Porky Pig signoff: "That's all, folks!" youtube.com/watch?v=aNEd0_rm6kU Feb 12, 2013 at 19:54
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What about "Well, that's all, we've finished"? Isn't that sentence correct?– user29020Feb 12, 2013 at 20:38
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They are more or less interchangeable when they indicate the peremptory end of a discussion. On most other occasions, they are not.
answered Feb 12, 2013 at 18:48
That's it - used when something has concluded
That's all - used to indicate "only" or "purpuse": "I wanted to talk to you, that's all.