the whole amount

USAGE SUMMARY

"the whole amount" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means the entire or complete amount of something. Example: "He paid the whole amount for the car upfront." This means that he paid the entire price for the car at once, without making any installments. Another example: "The total cost, including taxes, came to the whole amount of $500." This means that the final price, after adding taxes, was $500 in total.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But why not the whole amount?

The Guardian - Sport

You may not need to use the whole amount.

The New York Times - Food

If you donate £1 we receive the whole amount.

The Guardian

From April 2015, you can withdraw the whole amount, subject to your personal tax rate.

The Guardian - Money

You would even now be waiting till Sunday week to collect the whole amount.

The Guardian - Opinion

At end of day they had used up the whole amount.

The New Yorker

The whole amount is paid if both legs are delayed by an hour.

The Guardian - Money

"The house cost $312,000 and we borrowed the whole amount.

The Guardian - Business

Otherwise, the I.R.S. could rule the whole amount was a taxable gift.

The New York Times

Many could have paid the whole amount outright without so much as a blip in their profits.

The Guardian

You can still use it to provide an income, access ad hoc lump sums or even withdraw the whole amount.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the whole amount" to emphasize the completeness of a quantity, especially when contrasting it with partial amounts or expectations of something less.

Common error

Avoid using "the whole amount" when referring to uncountable nouns. Instead of "the whole amount of water", use "all the water" or "the total quantity of water".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the whole amount" functions as a determiner phrase, specifying a complete quantity. It clarifies that the entire sum, not just a portion, is being referred to. Ludwig highlights that this phrase is commonly used in various contexts to express completeness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the whole amount" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that signifies a complete quantity. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is used across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business writing, to emphasize totality. When using this phrase, remember to use it with countable nouns and emphasize a complete, undivided quantity. Considering alternatives like "the total sum" or "the entire quantity" can add nuance to your writing. Ludwig's examples highlight the phrase's versatility and broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the total sum

Emphasizes the final, calculated quantity. It specifically implies an addition of multiple values into one final number.

the entire quantity

Highlights the completeness and unbroken nature of the amount, focusing on its holistic aspect.

the complete quantity

Implies a finished or finalized amount, suggesting nothing is missing or needs to be added.

the aggregate total

Stresses the combination of different elements into a final sum, useful when many things are added to form the amount.

the full measure

Implies that something is expressed to its maximum potential and refers to a standard that is fully met or achieved.

the grand total

Suggests a final calculation that includes all elements and emphasizes the overall result.

the sum total

Highlights the comprehensive calculation of all components, giving the final amount of anything.

the overall figure

Focuses on the resulting value of a calculation, especially when representing financial or statistical data.

the collective mass

Refers to a complete amount of separate items grouped and considered as a single quantity.

the gross earnings

Relates to complete earnings before any deductions, such as taxes and expenses are made.

FAQs

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

You can use "the whole amount" to indicate the entirety of something. For example: "I had to pay "the whole amount" upfront", or "She donated "the whole amount" to charity".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "the whole amount"?

Similar phrases include "the total sum", "the entire quantity", or "the complete quantity". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "the entire amount" or "the whole amount"?

Both "the entire amount" and "the whole amount" are grammatically correct and largely interchangeable. The choice often comes down to stylistic preference or the specific nuance you want to convey. "Entire" might emphasize completeness, while "whole" emphasizes a lack of division.

When should I avoid using "the whole amount"?

Avoid using "the whole amount" with uncountable nouns; instead, opt for "all the" or "the total quantity of". For example, use "all the water" instead of "the whole amount of water".