whole

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "whole" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe a complete or entire thing, or to emphasize the extent of something. Example sentence: "She ate the whole cake in one sitting!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Read the whole thing here.

The New York Times

At this point, he's up against nearly the whole Palin tribe: Palin women screaming.

The Guardian

This is a whole new road for me, something I can get my teeth into but I just felt it was something I had to do.

The Guardian - Sport

The case has already been referred to the police ombudsman but, as the first minister has said, we should have a full, independent examination of the whole operation of this scheme.

The Guardian

But that is not the whole story.

The New York Times

"The whole category has been very euphemistic, or paternalistic even, and we're saying, enough with the euphemisms, and get over it.

The New York Times

"It's very funny because the whole spot is about censorship," Ms. Harris said.

The New York Times

If it was not, the whole ride should have automatically shut down".

The Guardian

"We will propose a 'double majority' rule – meaning that unless England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each vote to leave the EU, as well as the UK as a whole, Britain would remain a member state".

The Guardian

But another cost has been the damage done to the whole notion of financial innovation.

The Economist

But it is not the whole story.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "whole" to emphasize the entirety or completeness of something, especially when contrasting it with parts or portions. For example, "I read the whole book" emphasizes that you didn't just read parts of it.

Common error

Avoid using "hole" when you mean "whole". "Hole" refers to an opening or gap, while "whole" refers to entirety or completeness. Proofread carefully to ensure you're using the correct word.

Linguistic Context

The word "whole" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate completeness, entirety, or being undamaged. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples where "whole" describes nouns like "thing", "family", and "operation".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "whole" is a versatile adjective predominantly used to convey the completeness or entirety of something. As supported by Ludwig AI's analysis, it functions to emphasize that something is not partial and applies across diverse contexts, but mostly in news and media. It's grammatically straightforward and commonly used, although care should be taken not to confuse it with "hole". By remembering to use "whole" to highlight completeness, writers can improve the clarity and impact of their message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entire

Focuses on the completeness and undivided nature of something.

complete

Emphasizes the finished and full state of something, lacking nothing.

total

Highlights the sum or aggregate of all parts.

undivided

Stresses the lack of separation or division.

intact

Indicates something remains undamaged and complete.

unbroken

Suggests something has not been fractured or interrupted.

full

Implies a maximum capacity or extent.

sound

Conveys the idea of being healthy, undamaged, or in good condition.

perfect

Emphasizes the flawless and ideal nature of something.

aggregate

Denotes the combination of many separate elements.

FAQs

How can I use "whole" in a sentence?

You can use "whole" to describe something that is complete or not divided. For example, "I ate the "whole pizza"" or "The "whole team" worked together".

What is a synonym for "whole"?

Synonyms for "whole" include "entire", "complete", and "total". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the whole entire"?

While understandable, "the whole entire" is redundant. It's best to use either "the whole" or "the "entire"" to avoid unnecessary repetition.

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

"Whole" means complete or not damaged, while "holey" means having holes in it. They are antonyms. For example, "a "whole apple"" versus "a "holey sock"".