wholly acceptable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wholly acceptable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is completely satisfactory or meets the required standards. Example: "The proposal was reviewed and deemed wholly acceptable by the committee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Tsonga, by contrast, behaved in a way that is perfectly rational (and all too human), by cooperating with Ferrer to lose in a wholly acceptable, dignified way.

The New York Times

Let's be honest: the quality of talent has been patchy with more bum-notes than is wholly acceptable for Saturday teatime.

The Guardian

The assembly drafted a constitution, but their draft was not wholly acceptable to the high commissioner, because it spoke of the unity of geographical Syria and did not explicitly safeguard the French position of control.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But this option was not wholly acceptable to the Macedonian government because many of the Albanian insurgents are from Macedonia itself, not Kosovo, and would need to be disarmed inside their own country, a NATO official said today.

The New York Times

By the beginning of the 21st century, the Spanish state had yet to achieve a form of regional government that was wholly acceptable to all its communities, but, whenever that happens, it will almost inevitably be an asymmetrical form in which the range of powers held by the regional governments will vary widely from one community to another.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the novel "So Long, See You Tomorrow," William Maxwell writes, "Too many conflicting emotional interests are involved for life ever to be wholly acceptable, and possibly it is the work of the storyteller to rearrange things so that they conform to this end.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Totally acceptable.

The New York Times

The coatings have similar properties and thicknesses, with small differences causing variations wholly within acceptable margins of error.

Nanoscale Research Letters

None are wholly satisfactory.

The New York Times

"If this is implemented as the PJA believes is the intention, jockeys will no longer be punished for genuine, wholly unintended mistakes nor for otherwise perfectly acceptable rides".

BBC

Accordingly, although no specific new legislation has been introduced, relief for overseas losses will only be available where they may not be utilised in the overseas jurisdiction; Cadbury Schweppes — where it was ruled that CFC rules are only acceptable if they relate to wholly artificial arrangements intended to escape the UK tax normally payable.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wholly acceptable" to express complete agreement or satisfaction with a decision, action, or proposal. It conveys a strong sense of approval without reservation.

Common error

While "wholly acceptable" is grammatically sound, it can sound overly formal or stilted in casual conversation. In informal settings, consider using simpler alternatives like "totally fine" or "perfectly okay" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "wholly acceptable" is to act as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that something is completely satisfactory or meets required standards, as seen in examples like "the plan was wholly acceptable."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Wholly acceptable" is an adjective phrase that signifies something is completely satisfactory or meets all requirements. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in written English, especially in more formal contexts. While "wholly acceptable" expresses unequivocal approval, it's important to be mindful of the register; simpler alternatives may be more suitable for informal conversations. Usage analysis reveals its prevalence in news, encyclopedias, and wikis, with authoritative sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Economist employing the phrase. Alternatives such as "completely acceptable" or "entirely acceptable" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely acceptable

Replaces "wholly" with "completely", emphasizing the totality of acceptance.

entirely acceptable

Substitutes "wholly" with "entirely", conveying the same sense of complete acceptability.

fully acceptable

Uses "fully" instead of "wholly", maintaining the meaning of complete acceptance.

perfectly acceptable

Replaces "wholly" with "perfectly", suggesting that something meets the required standards without any flaws.

absolutely acceptable

Emphasizes acceptance with "absolutely", indicating no doubt or reservation.

unconditionally acceptable

Highlights that acceptance is without any conditions or limitations.

entirely satisfactory

Shifts focus from acceptance to satisfaction, implying that something is completely pleasing or fulfilling.

altogether satisfactory

Similar to "entirely satisfactory", emphasizing the completeness of satisfaction.

thoroughly acceptable

Indicates that something is acceptable after a complete and detailed consideration.

utterly acceptable

Uses "utterly" to intensify the degree of acceptability.

FAQs

How can I use "wholly acceptable" in a sentence?

You can use "wholly acceptable" to indicate complete agreement or satisfaction. For example, "The proposal was reviewed and deemed "wholly acceptable" by the committee".

What are some alternatives to "wholly acceptable"?

Alternatives include "completely acceptable", "entirely acceptable", or "perfectly acceptable". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

Is "wholly acceptable" formal or informal?

"Wholly acceptable" leans towards a more formal register. In casual conversation, simpler alternatives like "totally fine" or "perfectly okay" may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "wholly acceptable" and "generally acceptable"?

"Wholly acceptable" indicates complete and unconditional approval, while "generally acceptable" implies that something is acceptable to most people but may not be universally approved. The phrase "generally acceptable" suggests a broader but less definitive agreement.