The complex quantifier must be specific, whereas the simple quantifier may, but need not be specific. This ties in with the fact that the complex quantifier can also consist of al + demonstrative:

The simple quantifier cannot be combined with a demonstrative:

In fact, the complex quantifier also combines with some other elements the simple quantifier cannot combine with. For example, the complex quantifier can combine with a possessive pronoun, whereas the simple quantifier cannot:

The complex quantifier can combine with a non-pronominal possessor, whereas the simple quantifier cannot:

The complex quantifier al + definite article can be followed by a numeral, al + demonstrative is also possible:

The element al cannot be followed by a numeral, as in (a) below. Instead, the meaning of the ungrammatical phrase must be expressed as in (b) below:

Al all never occurs as a floating quantifier, nor does alle. Instead, the form allegear is used (see Alle all.

It seems that al + definite quantifier cannot occur with singular count nouns. The following contrast shows this:

The use of al + definite quantifier is fine with the mass noun, but not with the count noun. The following contrast shows that it is fine with plural count nouns:

The counterpart of the quantifier al all is the quantifier hiel whole.