a whole may

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a whole may" is not standard in written English and may be confusing without context.
It could potentially be used in a context discussing the concept of a whole entity having the ability to do something. Example: "In certain philosophical discussions, a whole may be considered greater than the sum of its parts."

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But the public as a whole may be overconsuming them to ensure health.

Cornell University

Advertisements as a whole may be completely misleading although every sentence separately considered is literally true.

Cornell University

Even if top management wants to react, the organization as a whole may resist.

Harvard Business Review

Families as a whole may need to work together to improve their knowledge.

Independent

The South as a whole may create a lot of jobs, but the Delta does not.

The Economist

The Yankees, as a whole, may not be getting old, but the championship core is.

The New York Times - Sports

Thus the smoking rate for the state as a whole may be a fair proxy for the county smoking rate.

Stanford University

He notes that mussels are the most reliable indicator of how the ecosystem as a whole may be doing.

The New York Times - Science

For example, the observed character as a whole may be compared with matrices registered in the memory of the machine.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The second is that some individuals be authorized to represent their own actions as the actions of the group as a whole (May 1987, p. 55).

SEP

Europe as a whole may be busy papering over its differences, burying cultural disparities and centuries of feuding.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider if a more direct construction, such as "as a whole might" or "collectively could", would provide greater clarity and impact in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a whole may" when referring to individual components within a system. This phrase is best suited for discussing the potential actions or characteristics of an entire group, system, or entity, not its individual parts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a whole may" functions as a qualifier expressing possibility or potential regarding an entire entity or group. It suggests that the entire group, rather than individual members, is subject to the action or state being described. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used in various contexts to express such potential.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Academia

24%

Science

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a whole may" is used to express the possibility or potential of an entire entity or group experiencing a certain condition or action. While considered acceptable, Ludwig AI identifies that it might not always be the most stylistically elegant choice. It's most commonly found in News & Media, Academia, and Scientific sources. When writing, ensure the subject is clearly a collective entity, and consider whether alternatives like "as a whole might" could offer greater clarity. While grammatically correct, choosing stronger and more direct expressions may often lead to clearer and more impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a whole might

Replaces 'may' with 'might', offering a slightly weaker degree of possibility.

in its entirety could

Changes the structure to emphasize completeness and potential.

taken together could

Emphasizes the combined aspect and uses 'could' for potential.

collectively might

Focuses on the group aspect and replaces 'may' with 'might' for possibility.

as an entire unit, possibly

Highlights the unitary nature and the potential for something to occur.

on the whole perhaps

Offers a broader perspective with a touch of uncertainty.

in aggregate it is possible

Focuses on the combined effect and the possibility of something happening.

in general possibly

Indicates a general trend with a degree of uncertainty.

overall it is conceivable

Presents a general assessment with the idea of conceivability.

considered globally it's plausible

Suggests a global perspective with an element of plausibility.

FAQs

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

Use "a whole may" when you want to express the potential action or state of an entire entity or group. For example, "The system "a whole may" experience performance issues if overloaded".

What are some alternatives to "a whole may"?

Alternatives include "as a whole might", "in its entirety could", or "collectively might". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is it more appropriate to use "a whole might" instead of "a whole may"?

Both "a whole may" and "a whole might" are grammatically acceptable. "Might" suggests a slightly lower probability than "may", but the difference is often negligible. Choose the one that best fits the tone and context of your writing.

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

"As a whole" emphasizes the collective or complete nature of something, while "a whole" simply refers to an entire entity. The phrase "a whole may" suggests a possibility related to that entire entity, while using "as a whole" provides a more explicit emphasis on the collective aspect.