as whole

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a whole" is a valid and common phrase in written English.
It is often used to indicate that a topic includes the entirety of something; that everything is taken into consideration. For example, "We need to look at the impact of the changes on the organization as a whole."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Shell the lobster, keeping the claw meat as whole as possible and set to one side.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mangled bodies reappear as whole.

Huffington Post

We operate as whole people.

The Guardian - Books

Grains come as whole and refined grains.

Columbia University

They see it as whole person care.

The Guardian

You could say that about the album as whole.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

This powerful concept is shown to greatly robustify targeted as well as whole-brain tractography.

NeuroImage

Efficient production of biochemicals using engineered microbes as whole-cell biocatalysts requires robust cell viability.

Biotechnology Advances

Organ content of 109Cd and Cd followed the same general pattern as whole-body absorption.

Environmental Research

Such as whole-genome sequencing of microbes.

Genus

This preparation is referred to as "whole-cell lysate".

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as whole" to refer to something in its entirety or to consider all aspects of a situation.

Common error

Avoid using "as whole" when referring to physical wholeness; use "whole" instead. For example, say "whole grain" instead of "as whole grain" when referring to food.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as whole" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the scope or extent of an action or consideration. It often conveys a sense of totality or completeness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as whole" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adverbial phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to indicate that something is being considered in its entirety. While versatile, its formality varies with context, being more common in news, science, and academic writing. For alternative expressions, consider using ""taken as a whole"", "in its entirety", or "overall" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taken as a whole

Emphasizes consideration of all parts together.

as a complete unit

Stresses the idea of something being undivided and entire.

in its entirety

Focuses on completeness rather than a general perspective.

as a totality

Highlights the sum of all parts.

on the whole

Indicates a general overview or summary.

overall

Provides a summary or general assessment.

in its aggregate

Similar to "totality", but slightly more formal.

in general

Offers a broad, non-specific perspective.

comprehensively

Focuses on covering all aspects thoroughly.

collectively

Highlights a group acting or being considered together.

FAQs

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

You can use "as whole" to refer to considering something in its entirety, like "We need to evaluate the project "taken as a whole" to understand its complete impact."

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

"As whole" emphasizes completeness, while "on the whole" indicates a general overview or summary.

Can I use "as whole" to describe physical objects?

It's generally better to use "whole" to describe physical objects. For instance, use "whole wheat bread" instead of "as whole wheat bread". You might also consider alternatives like "complete" or "entire".

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "as whole"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "as whole" include "in its entirety", ""taken as a whole"", or "overall".