whole life

USAGE SUMMARY

'whole life' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to an individual's life span from start to finish. For example, "John had been chasing his dream for his whole life, and he finally achieved it when he turned sixty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's his whole life".

The New York Times - Sports

It's my whole life.

The New Yorker

But my whole life?

The New York Times - Science

It's a whole life.

The New York Times - Arts

Your whole life?

The New York Times

Their whole life".

The New Yorker

He was my whole life.

The New Yorker

"You're reënacting your whole life.

The New Yorker

Like our whole life long.

The New York Times

My whole life is gone".

The New Yorker

Only for your whole life".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing long-term impacts or dedication, use "whole life" to emphasize a continuous and enduring commitment. For example, "She dedicated her "whole life" to environmental conservation."

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "whole life" (referring to the entirety of someone's existence) with "a whole life" (referring to a single, complete life considered as an individual unit). The definite article changes the meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whole life" functions as a modifier when describing something that lasts or pertains to the entirety of a person's existence. As Ludwig AI explains, it is grammatically correct. Examples include phrases like "dedicating their "whole life"" or "affecting my "whole life"".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "whole life" is a versatile phrase used to denote the entirety of someone's existence or the complete duration of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with applications also found in encyclopedias and scientific publications. The phrase carries a neutral tone and is suitable for various situations. Alternatives like "entire existence" or "lifelong journey" can be used to add nuance, as can related words such as "complete life". Remember to distinguish between "whole life" and "a whole life" to maintain clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

throughout one's lifetime

Highlights experiences that occur continuously during someone's existence.

the entirety of life

Focuses on the complete and unbroken span of a person's existence.

complete lifespan

Highlights the duration of life from birth to death.

entire existence

Focuses on the complete span of being, emphasizing existence itself.

full duration of life

Stresses the total time encompassed by a life.

through every stage of life

Implies considering each phase or period in a person's development and experience.

lifelong journey

Implies a continuous process or series of experiences throughout one's life.

the course of one's life

Emphasizes the progression and events that occur during a lifetime.

from birth to death

Explicitly states the beginning and end points of a life.

all one's days

Poetic way to refer to the total number of days in someone's life.

FAQs

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

You can use "whole life" to describe the entirety of someone's existence, for example, "He dedicated his "whole life" to music", or to express something that lasts an entire lifetime.

What phrases are similar to "whole life"?

Similar phrases include "entire existence", "lifelong journey", or "complete lifespan". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a whole life" instead of "whole life"?

While both are grammatically correct, they have different meanings. "Whole life" refers to the duration or span of someone's existence, whereas "a whole life" usually refers to a completed individual life. For example, "She lived a "whole life" full of adventures" versus "The biography chronicled a "whole life" from humble beginnings to great achievements".

Can "whole life" be used to describe things other than a person's existence?

Yes, although it's most commonly used in the context of a person's life, "whole life" can also describe the duration or complete cycle of something else, such as a project or a concept. For instance, one may speak of the "whole life" of a business or the "whole life" of a product cycle.