far from whole

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "far from whole" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is incomplete or lacking in some way. Example: "After the recent changes, the project feels far from whole, and we need to address the missing components."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The narrator of Powers's lyrical and disturbing novel "The Yellow Birds" (which appeared in 2012) is far from whole.

The New Yorker

But the heart of Lynbrook, a normally tranquil working-class village on Long Island's South Shore, is far from whole.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The inconsistencies are almost certainly no accident Cleverer people than me have framed the background to Google's behaviour already, but it's worth stating again that all of the obvious idiocy in the implementation suggests at the least that Google is far from whole-heartedly embracing the ECJ ruling.

The Guardian - Tech

This is far from the whole truth".

The New York Times - Tech

Genes are far from the whole story.

The Guardian

But that's far from the whole story.

The New York Times

But this was far from the whole truth.

The Guardian - Music

The Next Wave turned BAM around, but it is far from the whole story.

The New York Times - Books

Indeed, raising the retirement age is far from the whole answer.

The Economist

The team's eventual success on the field is far from the whole story, however.

The New York Times - Arts

This is all quite true, but it is far from the whole truth.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "far from whole" to describe situations or entities lacking completeness or integrity, especially when emphasizing emotional or abstract concepts like a person's mental state or a community's spirit.

Common error

Avoid using "far from whole" in contexts requiring precise quantitative measurements. It's better suited for qualitative assessments of completeness or integrity, not for scenarios where exact numbers or amounts are relevant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far from whole" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of incompleteness or lacking integrity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is correctly used to convey a sense of something being damaged or not fully realized.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "far from whole" is a correctly used adjectival phrase that conveys a sense of significant incompleteness or a lack of integrity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and best suited for describing abstract concepts such as emotional states or the condition of systems rather than precise quantitative measurements. While relatively rare in overall usage, it finds its primary context in news and media, where it adds a nuanced layer to descriptions of situations or entities. Alternatives like "incomplete" or "lacking" can be used depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not entirely complete

Emphasizes the lack of complete fulfillment, similar to being not whole.

somewhat incomplete

Highlights a degree of incompleteness, less absolute than "not whole".

lacking integration

Focuses on the absence of cohesive unity or integration.

not fully realized

Suggests potential that hasn't been fully achieved, implying incompleteness.

short of perfection

Implies a deviation from an ideal state of wholeness or completeness.

considerably flawed

Highlights imperfections affecting the overall integrity.

not quite right

Indicates a subtle but noticeable sense of something being amiss or incomplete.

partially deficient

Emphasizes the presence of specific deficiencies contributing to the lack of wholeness.

distinctly imperfect

Suggests an imperfection which deviates from a standard of wholeness.

far from perfect

Suggests an imperfection which deviates from a standard of wholeness.

FAQs

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

You can use "far from whole" to describe something incomplete, lacking, or damaged, such as "After the trauma, she felt "far from whole"."

What's a good alternative to "far from whole"?

Alternatives include "incomplete", "lacking", or "fragmented", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "far from whole" or "not whole"?

"Far from whole" emphasizes a greater distance from completeness or integrity, whereas "not whole" is a more neutral statement of incompleteness. The better choice depends on the desired level of emphasis.

When should I use "far from whole" instead of "broken"?

"Far from whole" is often used for abstract concepts like emotions or systems, while "broken" typically refers to physical objects. For example, a heart can be "far from whole", but a vase is more likely to be described as broken.