wholly gratuitous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wholly gratuitous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is entirely unnecessary or uncalled for, often in a critical context. Example: "The additional scenes in the movie felt wholly gratuitous and did not contribute to the overall plot."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It is wholly gratuitous".

The Guardian - Money

In act two Scarpia is being pleasured by a courtesan kneeling between his legs, a wholly gratuitous addition to Puccini's portrayal of an evil torturer who exudes suppressed sexuality in any case.

The Guardian - Music

But at the same time, the White House has been hounding Congressional Republicans to do whatever it takes, including blatant budget gimmickry, to pass $70 billion worth of additional tax cuts, among them a wholly gratuitous extension of special low tax rates for investors.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

And it's entirely gratuitous.

The New York Times

Completely gratuitous!

Forbes

They are completely gratuitous.

Huffington Post

Gilliam wrote in his 29-page ruling that the new rules "transform contraceptive coverage from a legal entitlement to an essentially gratuitous benefit wholly subject to their employer's discretion".

Huffington Post

Of course, not all predictions are gratuitous.

BMC Biology

Gratuitous, too.

The New York Times

Or gratuitous?

The Guardian

Stark, gratuitous.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wholly gratuitous" when you want to strongly emphasize that something is completely unnecessary and adds no value to the situation. It's suitable for formal and critical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "wholly gratuitous" too frequently, as overuse of intensifiers can weaken your writing. Consider whether "gratuitous" alone conveys sufficient meaning without sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wholly gratuitous" functions as a descriptive expression, modifying a noun to indicate that something is completely unnecessary and uncalled for. It emphasizes the lack of value or justification for something. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wholly gratuitous" is a phrase used to describe something as completely unnecessary and uncalled for. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct, although relatively rare. Its primary function is to express criticism or disapproval, often in news and media contexts. While grammatically sound, overusing intensifiers like "wholly" can weaken writing. Consider whether "gratuitous" alone conveys your message effectively. Related phrases include "completely unnecessary" and "entirely superfluous", offering alternative ways to express the same sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely unnecessary

Emphasizes the lack of necessity, focusing on the absence of a requirement.

entirely superfluous

Highlights the excessiveness of something, suggesting it's beyond what's needed.

totally uncalled for

Indicates that something was inappropriate or unwarranted.

absolutely needless

Stresses that something is entirely without need or purpose.

utterly pointless

Focuses on the lack of value or purpose in an action or item.

perfectly dispensable

Indicates that something can be easily removed or done without.

thoroughly unwarranted

Highlights the lack of justification for something.

purely excessive

Emphasizes that something is only present in an extreme and unnecessary degree.

gratuitous

Removes the intensifier 'wholly' and stands alone, reducing the emphasis.

excessive and unjustified

Combines the notions of being beyond what's needed and lacking justification.

FAQs

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

You can use "wholly gratuitous" to describe something that is entirely unnecessary or uncalled for. For example, "The extra scene in the movie felt "wholly gratuitous" and did not contribute to the plot."

What are some alternatives to "wholly gratuitous"?

Alternatives include "completely unnecessary", "entirely superfluous", or "totally uncalled for", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "wholly gratuitous" or just "gratuitous"?

Using "wholly gratuitous" adds emphasis, indicating something is completely unnecessary. "Gratuitous" alone implies something is uncalled for but with less intensity. The choice depends on the level of emphasis you want to convey.

What is the difference between "wholly gratuitous" and "wholly unnecessary"?

"Wholly gratuitous" implies something is not only unnecessary but also excessive or uncalled for, while "wholly unnecessary" simply means something is not needed.