whole of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "whole of" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to emphasize the entirety of something. Here are some examples: - "He ate the whole of the pizza by himself." - "The whole of the city was covered in a blanket of snow." - "She worked through the whole of the night to finish her project." - "The whole of the team celebrated their victory at the end of the game." - "I couldn't believe the whole of the story until I heard it from someone else."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The whole of Europe?

Independent

It becomes the whole of the music".

Independent

That was the whole of the story.

The New York Times

We speak for the whole of Nigeria".

Independent

The whole of your body is involved.

The Guardian - Arts

The whole of Magda travelled through loftiness.

The New Yorker

What, patrolling the whole of cyberspace?

Independent

The whole of Africa burst into song.

Independent

"His proposal hurt the whole of France.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"It's fundamentally a whole-of-government approach.

The Guardian

And that's a whole-of-government effort".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "whole of" to emphasize the entirety or completeness of something, especially when a slightly more formal or emphatic tone is desired.

Common error

Avoid using "whole of" in very casual conversation. Alternatives like "all of" or "the entire" are often more appropriate in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whole of" functions as a prepositional modifier, emphasizing the entirety or completeness of the noun that follows. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "whole of" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase that emphasizes the entirety or completeness of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent usage. While it is versatile, it is most appropriate in neutral to formal contexts like news, academic writing, and professional communications. When aiming for a more casual tone, alternatives like "all of" or "the entire" may be more suitable. By understanding its nuanced usage, writers can effectively employ "whole of" to convey a comprehensive and emphatic meaning in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

all of

A more concise and common way to express the same concept of including everything.

entirety of

Emphasizes completeness and inclusiveness, similar to "whole of" but with a slightly more formal tone.

the totality of

Highlights the complete extent or scope of something, often in a philosophical or abstract context.

the full scope of

Focuses on the breadth or range of something, implying a comprehensive view.

the complete extent of

More descriptive and emphasizes the full reach or range.

everything within

Indicates inclusion of all elements contained within a defined boundary.

the sum total of

Implies the aggregate or combined amount of all parts.

the aggregate of

Focuses on the collection of individual items into a larger whole.

each and every part of

Stresses individual inclusion within the overall group or entity.

the grand scheme of

Implies looking at something as a component in a broader or more comprehensive system.

FAQs

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

The phrase "whole of" is used to emphasize the entirety of something. For example: "The "entire city" celebrated the victory", or "He dedicated the "totality of" his time to the project".

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

While both phrases indicate completeness, "whole of" often carries a slightly more formal or emphatic tone than "all of". Consider the context to determine which is more appropriate.

Is it always necessary to use "whole of" or are there simpler alternatives?

No, it's not always necessary. Simpler alternatives like "all of", "the entire", or "the complete" are often suitable and can make your writing more concise. Choose the phrase that best fits the tone and context.

Can "whole of" be used with uncountable nouns?

Yes, "whole of" can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns. For example: "the whole of the water" (uncountable) or "the whole of the apples" (countable).