the whole

USAGE SUMMARY

"the whole" is a perfectly acceptable and commonly used phrase in written English.
For example, "I ate the whole pizza by myself".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Read the whole piece.

The Economist

There was the whole.

The New York Times

The whole of Europe?

Independent

"The whole house sank.

The New York Times - Books

He's the whole package.

The New York Times

"The whole system stinks".

The New York Times

The whole class applauded.

The New York Times - Books

"It's the whole ancestry".

The New York Times - Science

"The whole damn day".

The New Yorker

That's the whole idea.

The New York Times - Sports

The whole head.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the whole" to emphasize completeness or entirety, ensuring clarity and impact in your writing. For instance, use it to stress the inclusion of every element or aspect of a situation.

Common error

Avoid using "the whole" in phrases where it adds no significant meaning. For example, instead of saying "the whole entire thing", simply use "the entire thing" to maintain conciseness and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the whole" typically functions as a determiner followed by a noun, modifying it to indicate the entirety or completeness of the noun. As Ludwig AI underlines, examples like "the whole house" or "the whole team" illustrate this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the whole" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize the completeness or entirety of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly found in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "the entirety" exist, "the whole" offers a straightforward way to convey a sense of completeness. It's crucial to avoid redundancy by not using it in phrases where it adds no extra value, and always ensure that its usage enhances clarity and impact. Knowing how to use "the whole" effectively can significantly improve your writing, making it more precise and compelling.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the entirety

Emphasizes completeness and inclusiveness, similar to "the whole".

the complete picture

Highlights a comprehensive view, focusing on understanding all aspects.

the entire thing

Similar in meaning, but with a slightly less formal tone than "the whole".

the full extent

Focuses on the range or scope of something, implying a complete measure.

the totality

Highlights the sum of all parts, emphasizing overall completeness.

the sum total

Emphasizes the combined amount or result, implying a comprehensive calculation.

the aggregate

Focuses on the collective whole, emphasizing the combination of elements.

everything included

Directly states that all elements are part of the consideration or set.

the uncut version

Specifically implies that nothing has been removed or omitted.

in its entirety

Expresses completeness from a formal standpoint, presenting a thoroughness.

FAQs

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

You can use "the whole" to refer to the entirety of something, as in "I read "the whole book" in one sitting" or "the whole team contributed to the victory".

What are some alternatives to "the whole"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "the entirety", "the complete", or "the total".

Is it correct to say "the whole entire"?

While understandable, "the whole entire" is often considered redundant. It's generally better to use either "the whole" or "the entire" for conciseness.

What's the difference between "the whole" and "all of"?

"The whole" emphasizes completeness or the entirety of something singular, while "all of" often refers to multiple items or elements within a group. For instance, "the whole pie" refers to a single, complete pie, while "all of the pies" refers to multiple pies.