a larger whole

USAGE SUMMARY

"a larger whole" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to something that is part of a bigger or more general category. For example: "This small piece of the puzzle is only one part of a larger whole."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As they bake, the balls combine into a larger whole.

The New York Times - Science

Consider assigning 'small wholes' of increasing size instead of parts of a larger whole.

Yale University

You would be getting only a fragmented view of a larger whole.

The New York Times - Arts

"A relic is often an ephemeral piece of a larger whole," he added.

The New York Times

This moment becomes a series of moments, experienced individually and as part of a larger whole.

The Washington Post

A melodic entity that functions as an element in a larger whole is called a theme.

Britannica

In Mr. Leo's reckoning, his New Jersey was always part of a larger whole.

The New York Times

If nothing else, when we connect with nature we are reminded that we are part of a larger whole.

University of California, Berkeley

"Clearly, I had to find a way to replicate the advantages of being part of a larger whole".

The New York Times

The Eurovision song contest, the cutouts of Matisse, the dialogues of Plato are all parts of a larger whole.

The Guardian

In modular arrangements of teams, each team focuses on small, simple tasks that together make up a larger whole.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a larger whole" to emphasize that individual elements are interconnected and contribute to a more significant entity. This is especially effective in contexts discussing systems, communities, or abstract concepts where the relationship between parts and the whole is crucial.

Common error

Avoid using "a larger whole" when simply referring to something that is bigger in size without having a part-to-whole relationship. For example, use "a larger quantity" instead of "a larger whole" when discussing amounts of a substance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a larger whole" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a preposition or verb. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct. Examples in Ludwig show its usage across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

19%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a larger whole" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that conveys the concept of interconnectedness and integration within a system or entity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides examples across various contexts. It is commonly found in news, academic, and encyclopedia sources, highlighting its versatility. While alternative phrases like ""a greater entity"" or ""the bigger picture"" exist, "a larger whole" distinctly emphasizes the part-to-whole relationship, making it a valuable tool for precise communication in various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a greater entity

Focuses more on the size and significance of the overall entity.

a unified totality

Focuses on the completeness and oneness of the whole.

an encompassing unit

Emphasizes the comprehensiveness and unified nature of the whole.

an integrated collective

Stresses the interconnectedness and group aspect of the whole.

a holistic structure

Emphasizes the interconnectedness and interdependence of the parts.

a comprehensive system

Highlights the structured and organized nature of the whole.

an overarching framework

Highlights the structural and guiding aspect of the whole.

a broader scope

Emphasizes the extent and range of the whole.

the bigger picture

This is a common idiom, less formal, more focused on the overview.

the grand scheme

This idiom refers to a very large, often divinely ordained, whole.

FAQs

How can I use "a larger whole" in a sentence?

You can use "a larger whole" to describe how individual parts contribute to something bigger, for example: "Each team focuses on small tasks that together make up "a larger whole"".

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "a larger whole"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases such as "a greater entity", "an encompassing unit", or "the bigger picture".

When is it appropriate to use "a larger whole"?

It's appropriate to use "a larger whole" when you want to emphasize the interconnectedness and interdependence of elements within a system or concept. This is common in discussions of philosophy, ecology, and organizational structure.

Is "a larger whole" the same as "the sum of its parts"?

While related, they have different nuances. "A larger whole" emphasizes the interconnectedness and unity, while "the sum of its parts" focuses on the composition. The phrase "the sum of its parts" often implies that the whole is merely the result of adding the parts together, without necessarily implying emergent properties or synergy.