the whole work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the whole work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the entirety of a project, task, or piece of art, emphasizing that you are considering everything involved rather than just a part. Example: "After reviewing the whole work, I believe we need to make some significant changes to improve the overall quality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The whole work feels flimsy.

The New York Times - Arts

The whole work gleams.

The New York Times - Arts

But that's not the whole work.

The New York Times - Arts

The whole work is designed for oral delivery.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"No one can do the whole work," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

His feeling for the whole work is unrivalled.

The Guardian

And sure enough, the whole work is a figment.

The Guardian - Arts

The work -- the whole work -- is in perpetual evolution".

The New York Times - Arts

"He's addicted to the whole work thing, and he does it brilliantly," Yates says.

The New York Times - Magazine

The whole work gave off a sad sweetness recognizable by anyone who's had to grow up.

The New York Times - Arts

"Rem found architecture wanting, and I found the whole work of structural engineering wanting".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the whole work" to provide context for a specific analysis, argument, or conclusion related to all components, aspects or the entire nature of something.

Common error

Avoid drawing broad conclusions about "the whole work" without thoroughly examining each of its constituent parts. A superficial overview can lead to inaccurate assessments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the whole work" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It specifies the entirety of a creation, project, or task, emphasizing completeness. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples across diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the whole work" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to denote the entirety of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it enjoys widespread usage across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedic entries. The phrase functions primarily as a noun phrase to emphasize a comprehensive perspective. When writing, use "the whole work" to ensure clarity that you're referring to all aspects, while avoiding overgeneralizations without thorough analysis. Consider alternatives like ""the overall work"" or "the entire piece" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the overall work

This alternative emphasizes the entirety of the work, similar to "the whole work".

the complete work

Replaces "whole" with "complete", stressing the finished and entire aspect of the work.

the full work

Uses "full" to highlight the comprehensive and exhaustive nature of the work.

the entire work

Emphasizes that every single part of the work is included.

the totality of the work

This phrase is more formal and stresses the inclusion of every aspect of the work.

the sum of the parts

This idiom is less literal, referring to how the individual components create the complete work.

the finished product

Focuses on the result of the work, emphasizing its completion.

the project in its entirety

This alternative is more verbose, specifying that the work is a project.

the grand scheme

This phrase refers to the large-scale view of the work, implying vision and comprehensiveness.

the big picture

Like "the grand scheme", this refers to understanding all the factors in relation to each other within the work.

FAQs

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

You can use "the whole work" to refer to an entire piece of art, a complete project, or a body of research. For example, "After reviewing "the overall work", I found several recurring themes."

What are some alternatives to "the whole work"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "the entire piece", "the complete project", or "the overall effort".

Is it more appropriate to say "the whole work" or "the entire work"?

Both "the whole work" and "the entire work" are grammatically correct and largely interchangeable. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific nuance you wish to convey.

In what contexts is "the whole work" most commonly used?

"The whole work" is frequently used in discussions of literature, art, and research to emphasize a comprehensive perspective. It is suitable across different registers, from formal to informal.