wholly against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wholly against" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express complete opposition or disagreement with something. Example: "The committee's decision was wholly against the proposed changes to the policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

I'm not wholly against the idea.

The Guardian - Books

The critical point, and one Mr. Sicilia must not lose sight of, is that his movement cannot be wholly against the state.

The New York Times

But I'm wholly against any watering down of the existing laws, and I would encourage sensible strengthening of the existing laws," the former Liberal prime minister said.

The Guardian

I understand the media's vitriolic hatred of Rafa, but as I suspected, certain Guardian's writers are actually wholly against Liverpool, not just Liverpool FC.

The Guardian - Sport

"But I'm wholly against any watering down of the existing laws and I would encourage sensible strengthening of the existing laws".

The Guardian

Were Mr Rohani to conclude that the regime had more to gain from being part of the world rather than wholly against it, that would be a prize in itself.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

For developing countries like the Philippines, it is forcing a recognition that old laws are wholly inadequate against new methods of disguising illicit gains.

The New York Times

"If the Russians misplayed it anywhere in the last four months, deciding they didn't need the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty was fundamental .Not divided, but not united eitherNone of this means Europe is wholly united against Russia.

The Economist

None of Australia's batsmen and least of all their captain Ricky Ponting looks wholly comfortable against Harmison's bounce and pace, and along with Andy Flintoff he has the ability to take wickets on flat pitches.

The Guardian - Sport

Almost willfully nonquantitative, as Luhrmann notes, the field never bothered to prove its worth with outcome studies, never conceded that talk therapy might be wholly ineffective against the most severe disease and never owned up to the scandal of implicating family dynamics in models of illness that now seem firmly rooted in brain dysfunction.

The New York Times - Books

"I intend to write to Michel Platini expressing our dissatisfaction and will be asking Uefa to exercise its powers to appeal against the wholly disproportionate punishments imposed against Serbia.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wholly against" when you want to express complete disagreement or opposition to something. It conveys a strong and unequivocal stance.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "wholly against" can sound overly formal or stiff in casual conversation. Opt for more relaxed alternatives like "totally against" or "completely against" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wholly against" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It indicates the extent or degree to which someone is opposed to something. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in expressing complete opposition.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wholly against" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express complete opposition or disagreement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. While "wholly" itself can suggest a degree of formality, the phrase maintains a neutral tone. When writing, consider more casual alternatives like "totally against" in informal settings. Remember that this phrase communicates a strong and unequivocal stance, making it essential to use it accurately to reflect your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely opposed to

Emphasizes total opposition, similar to "wholly against" but uses different wording.

entirely against

A direct synonym, using "entirely" in place of "wholly" to convey complete opposition.

totally against

Informal synonym using "totally" for emphasis.

absolutely against

Highlights the strength of the opposition.

utterly opposed to

Uses "utterly" to intensify the sense of opposition.

in complete disagreement with

Expresses opposition through disagreement.

strongly opposed to

Indicates a firm and forceful opposition.

unequivocally against

Implies a clear and unambiguous opposition.

diametrically opposed to

Suggests a fundamental and irreconcilable opposition.

in staunch opposition to

Highlights a firm and resolute opposition.

FAQs

What does "wholly against" mean?

The phrase "wholly against" means completely opposed to something. It indicates a total lack of agreement or support.

Is "wholly against" formal or informal?

The phrase "wholly against" leans towards the formal side. In more casual settings, phrases like "totally against" or "completely against" might be more appropriate.

What are some alternatives to "wholly against"?

You can use alternatives like "completely opposed to", "entirely against", or "totally against" depending on the context.

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

You can use "wholly against" to express strong opposition. For example: "I am "completely opposed to" any watering down of the existing laws".