(1)表示总共,用来说明数量,可用在数字之前、句首或句末
总共十人。
There are altogether ten people.
There are ten people altogether.
Altogether there are ten people.
(2)表示完全,可以修饰动词、形容词、副词、介词短语等
I forget it altogether.
我完全忘了。
The thing is not altogether impossible.
这件事并非完全不可能。
I am altogether on your side in this matter.
在这件事情上,我完全站在你这边。
(3)表示总的说来,常用于句首
It is raining,but altogether it was a good trip.
虽然天下着雨,但总的说来旅途还是很愉快。