a whole

USAGE SUMMARY

"a whole" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an entire thing or someone's entire amount of effort, energy, or attention. Example: After spending a whole week preparing for the presentation, I was finally ready.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A whole week".

The New York Times

A whole year!

Independent

A whole floor!

The New Yorker

A whole year ago.

The New Yorker

"A whole lotta times.

The New Yorker

It's a whole attitude.

The New York Times - Health

membership as a whole".

The New York Times

It's a whole life.

The New York Times - Arts

A whole different person".

The New York Times - Sports

A whole half minute?

The New Yorker

"Bring a whole pitcher.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a whole" to emphasize the entirety or completeness of something, adding a sense of emphasis or significance to the quantity or concept being described.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "whole" with "hole". "Whole" refers to something complete, while "hole" refers to an opening or cavity. Double-check your spelling to ensure you're conveying the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of the phrase "a whole" is as a determiner that modifies a noun. It indicates the entirety or completeness of the noun it precedes. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

31%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a whole" functions as a determiner emphasizing completeness or entirety. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usability. Predominantly found in News & Media and Wiki sources, it maintains a neutral register, suitable for diverse contexts. Related phrases like "an entire" and "a complete" offer nuanced alternatives. Remember to differentiate "whole" from its homophone "hole" to avoid errors. In essence, "a whole" is a versatile phrase adding emphasis to the quantity or completeness of a subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an entire

Focuses on the completeness and indivisibility of something.

a complete

Emphasizes the finished or full state of something.

a full

Highlights the filled or comprehensive nature of something.

a total

Stresses the sum or aggregate of something.

a unified

Implies a sense of oneness or integration.

a collective

Indicates a group or set considered as a single entity.

a comprehensive

Highlights thoroughness and inclusivity.

an integral

Emphasizes the essential or necessary nature of something within a larger context.

a solid

Suggests firmness, reliability, and unity.

a sweeping

Implies a wide-ranging or extensive scope.

FAQs

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

Use "a whole" to describe something complete or entire. For example, "I ate "a whole pizza"" indicates that you consumed the entire pizza.

What phrases are similar to "a whole"?

Alternatives include "an entire", "a complete", or "a full", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "whole" or "entire"?

Both "whole" and "entire" can often be used interchangeably. However, "whole" can sometimes imply a sense of unity or completeness that "entire" doesn't always carry. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "a whole" and "hole"?

"A whole" refers to a complete entity, while "hole" refers to an opening or gap. For example, "a whole pie" describes an intact pie, whereas "a hole in the wall" describes an opening in the wall.