entirety

USAGE SUMMARY

"entirety" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to the total sum or entirety of something. For example, "She reviewed the entirety of her notes before the exam to ensure she was well prepared."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The couple were sent refunds of the tax they had paid, but admit they failed to read the letter in its entirety, assuming all was well.

The Guardian - Money

Watch here Much to the chagrin of older Green Day fans, who had the pleasure of pogoing/singing along to every word of the trio's much loved 1994 album, which the Cali punks played in its entirety, the youngsters were unimpressed.

The Guardian - Music

At a push, if he really insists, let him recite the midsection rap to All Rise by Blue in its entirety to some graffiti artists, but only because that's the coolest thing in the world.

The Guardian

She tells me about trying to throw a brunch for the Z in its entirety, only to find herself exhausted after a difficult night with the kids.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The first 11 pages, which describe the government's allegations against al-Awlaki, are redacted in their entirety.

The Guardian - Opinion

Indeed, Google relies on advertising for almost the entirety of its nearly $60bn annual income.

The Guardian

You can read her piece in its entirety here.

The Guardian

The Tory cuts amounted to the entirety of the schools budget, and would mean damage to the police, the army and social care, he said.

The Guardian

He need not say that on such occasions the solemn services of the Church were performed in a slovenly, irregular and indecent manner … The owners of private grounds closed by the government were not inclined to go quietly; they were, after all, losing the entirety of their business.

The Guardian

[phone], elcanchotarifa.com, from €120 a night, minimum seven nights Riad Lolita, Tarifa A classy renovation of a 19th-century house, Riad Lolita is available by the room or in its entirety.

The Guardian - Travel

Allison recognises the challenges in reporting – "the nearest journalists are hundreds of kilometres away" – but also points to the significance of the attack: taking control of Baga, "Boko Haram effectively controls Borno state in its entirety.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "entirety" when you want to emphasize the completeness or wholeness of something, especially in formal contexts. For example, "The report was read in its entirety."

Common error

Avoid using "entirety" in very informal settings, as it can sound overly formal or pretentious. Simpler words like "whole" or "complete" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The word "entirety" functions as a noun, referring to the state of being whole or complete. Ludwig AI indicates that it is correctly used in various contexts to emphasize completeness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "entirety" is a noun that denotes the state of being whole or complete. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in formal contexts. The analysis reveals that "entirety" appears frequently in news, business, and scientific sources. When aiming for clarity and emphasis on completeness, "entirety" serves as a precise choice, although in more informal settings, simpler synonyms like "whole" or "completeness" may be more suitable. Remembering this can enhance the precision and appropriateness of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entireness

A less common synonym of "entirety" but can still replace it.

whole

Refers to something complete, without any parts missing. It is a more general term.

totality

Stresses the inclusion of every part; a complete amount.

completeness

Highlights the state of being complete and lacking nothing. Often used in technical contexts.

fullness

Emphasizes the extent to which something is filled or complete, often used in abstract contexts.

the sum total

Emphasizes the final amount after all parts have been added together.

in its unabridged form

Means complete and not shortened, like a book or document.

the aggregate

Refers to the total or combined amount of something, often used in statistical or economic contexts.

in its aggregate form

Highlights the combined components of something.

all aspects

Highlights that every element is accounted.

FAQs

How to use "entirety" in a sentence?

You can use "entirety" to emphasize that something is complete or whole. For example, "The project was completed in its entirety."

What can I say instead of "entirety"?

You can use alternatives like "whole", "totality", or "completeness" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "in its entirely"?

No, the correct phrase is "in its entirety". Using "entirely" would be grammatically incorrect in this context.

What's the difference between "entirety" and "whole"?

"Entirety" implies a complete and undivided state, while "whole" simply means all parts included. The "entirety" of something may emphasize its unbroken completeness more than just referring to it as a "whole".