wholly fascinating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wholly fascinating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is completely or entirely captivating or interesting. Example: "The documentary on ancient civilizations was wholly fascinating, revealing insights I had never considered before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

He tells us that his preliminary excursions into Church's letters suggested only the most banal of existences, but that as the pieces of knowledge fell into place, a wholly fascinating human being took form.

The New York Times

She is exotic and fearless and selfish and dangerous, a wholly fascinating invention – invention being the operative word, because the Butterfly we are introduced to is, essentially, the invention of the letter-writer, who must narrate her in her absence.

The Guardian - Books

From Dark Arts to Sleight of Hand in Early 20th Century Stage Magic, which illuminates the too-good-to-be-true story of the now obscure but wholly fascinating stage magician Howard Thurston con man, carnival barker, missionary student, and, at one time, Houdini's greatest competition.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"It's completely fascinating.

The New York Times

But the book itself is a subtle shock to the system, portraying our medical culture — with all its oddities and bizarre rites — as seen through the eyes of Hmong immigrants, people with a wholly different, fascinating belief system.

The New York Times

In the young adult novel The Lost Marble Notebook of Forgotten Girl & Random Boy (Skyhorse), author Marie Jaskulka has written a book that is wholly original, explosive, fascinating and devastating.

Huffington Post

On July 8th the New York Times Room For Debate ran a piece called, "Should Women Delay Motherhood?" The perspectives represented were fascinating, wholly relevant to women in Western countries who grapple with issues of fertility and career.

Huffington Post

In doing so, Pietersen provides a fascinating – if, inevitably, wholly one-sided – account of a period when English cricket went from world dominance to devastating decline and during which the wider sport is facing unprecedented pressure from within and without.

The Guardian - Sport

His Twitter is endlessly fascinating and endlessly mockable, wholly lacking in irony, whether he's boasting or confessing.

The New York Times - Arts

It is an image that perfectly sums up the portrait of Pompeii we are given in this learned and fascinating book: a myth that is not wholly a myth, but something even more remarkable and strange.

The Guardian - Books

Because May is a wholly unique woman, of course, with her own achievements and ambitions and fascinating hairstyles.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wholly fascinating" to describe something that completely captures your attention and sparks a deep sense of interest. It is particularly effective when emphasizing the unexpected or surprising nature of something's appeal.

Common error

Avoid using "wholly fascinating" in very casual or informal conversations. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or affected in everyday settings. Consider using simpler alternatives like "really interesting" or "totally captivating" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wholly fascinating" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun. It intensifies the adjective "fascinating", indicating a complete or thorough captivation. Ludwig confirms this usage as grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wholly fascinating" is a grammatically correct adjectival phrase used to express a high degree of captivation and interest. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate for use and appears primarily in news and media contexts. While effective in conveying strong positive sentiment, it should be used judiciously in informal settings where simpler alternatives might be more suitable. Alternative phrases such as "entirely captivating" or "completely intriguing" can provide similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entirely captivating

Replaces "wholly" with "entirely", emphasizing completeness of captivation.

completely intriguing

Substitutes "fascinating" with "intriguing", highlighting the mystery and curiosity aspect.

utterly captivating

Uses "utterly" instead of "wholly", suggesting a strong degree of captivation.

thoroughly engaging

Replaces "fascinating" with "engaging", focusing on the ability to hold attention.

absolutely absorbing

Changes "fascinating" to "absorbing", emphasizing the immersive quality.

genuinely enthralling

Emphasizes the authenticity of the enthralling quality, using "genuinely".

remarkably interesting

Shifts focus to general interest using "interesting", modified by "remarkably".

singularly captivating

Highlights the unique and exceptional nature of captivation using "singularly".

decidedly fascinating

Uses "decidedly" to express an unambiguous sense of fascination.

unquestionably enthralling

Asserts the enthralling quality with certainty by using "unquestionably".

FAQs

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

You can use "wholly fascinating" to describe something that completely captures your interest. For example, "The historical documentary was "wholly fascinating", providing new insights into the era."

What can I say instead of "wholly fascinating"?

You can use alternatives like "entirely captivating", "completely intriguing", or "utterly captivating" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "wholly fascinating" formal or informal?

"Wholly fascinating" leans towards the formal side. While grammatically sound, simpler alternatives may be more suitable for informal contexts.

What's the difference between "wholly fascinating" and "slightly interesting"?

"Wholly fascinating" describes something that is deeply captivating and interesting, while "slightly interesting" indicates only a mild level of interest. The former conveys a much stronger sense of engagement.