whole of which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "whole of which" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the entirety of something previously mentioned, often in a formal or literary context. Example: "The committee presented a report, the whole of which was well-received by the stakeholders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

In fact, understanding something ultimately means knowing the whole of which it is a part – in other words, knowing God.

The Guardian - Opinion

The second image of sustainability is often referred to as "deep ecology", and it considers the ecosystem as a living whole of which humanity is only one part.

The Guardian

The production, the whole of which took place behind a scrim, tried to suggest Busoni's aesthetic of detachment, only to make the characters and the action impossibly remote.

The New York Times - Arts

But the whole of which they are parts must necessarily be complete, and thus, in accordance with the meaning of the word, have being, not in some respect only, but in every respect.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I forgot to mention that he had his 'bronchitis' for three weeks in July & that it rained every day for six weeks during the whole of which the kitchen was flooded & all the food went mouldy in a few hours.

The Guardian - Books

Tuesday saw the first of four concerts designed as a retrospective of Zorn's long and eclectic career, the whole of which will involve some 40 musicians including Mike Patton, and Dave Lombardo, formerly of Slayer, plus the Adelaide Symphony orchestra.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

"A national anthem for our whole country, for our whole United Kingdom, of which England is but a part, but an important part.

The Guardian - Sport

"The whole basis of which we are making policy judgments is evidence.

The Guardian

I still have the whole set, of which this is a particularly treasured volume.

The Guardian - Books

"The whole question of which fares are upgradeable is a dirty little secret.

The New York Times

The First Amendment binds the Government as a whole, regardless of which branch is at work in a particular instance.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "whole of which" in formal writing when you need to emphasize that a part belongs to a complete entity. It adds a layer of precision, but can also sound stilted if overused. When used, make sure the context clearly establishes the relationship between the part and the whole.

Common error

Avoid using "whole of which" in informal contexts, as it can sound overly formal or pretentious. Simpler alternatives like "that" or "which" are often more appropriate and direct in casual writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whole of which" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun phrase by specifying that it is a part of a larger, complete entity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable construction in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

25%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "whole of which" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that something is a part of a larger, complete entity. As Ludwig AI confirms, its prevalent use is observed across various formal contexts, including news articles, academic papers, and encyclopedias. While "whole of which" offers precision and clarity, it is best reserved for formal writing due to its tone. When simpler, more direct alternatives like "all of which" or "the entirety of it" may be more appropriate in casual or informal contexts. Overall, understanding the function, purpose, and register of "whole of which" ensures its effective and appropriate use in written communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

totality of which

This alternative emphasizes the completeness of the larger entity, suggesting a comprehensive scope.

entirety of which

This option focuses on the unbroken completeness of the whole, similar to "whole of which" but with a slightly different nuance.

sum of which

This phrase implies an aggregation of parts combining to form the larger entity.

aggregate of which

This alternative suggests that the larger entity is formed by collecting individual elements.

complex of which

This option is suitable when the larger entity is intricate and multifaceted.

system of which

Suitable when referring to a structured entity with interconnected components.

network of which

This alternative implies that the larger entity involves interconnected elements.

unit of which

Use this when you consider the larger entity as a single, indivisible thing.

portion of which

This alternative refers to a specific amount of the entity being examined.

element of which

This phrase highlights the components that make up the larger entity.

FAQs

How do I use "whole of which" in a sentence?

The phrase "whole of which" is used to indicate that something is part of a larger, complete entity. For example: "The project involved several stages, the whole of which needed careful planning."

What can I say instead of "whole of which"?

Alternatives to "whole of which" include "totality of which", "entirety of which", or simpler constructions like "all of which" or "the entirety of it depending on the context".

Is "whole of which" formal or informal?

"Whole of which" is generally considered a formal phrase, best suited for academic, legal, or otherwise formal writing. More informal contexts may benefit from simpler phrasing.

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

"All of which" is a more general phrase that refers to every item in a previously mentioned group, while "whole of which" specifically implies that something is part of a complete and unified entity. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize completeness or simply refer to all items.