wholly positive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'wholly positive' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adverb that describes the degree or extent of something. For example, you could say: "I felt a wholly positive attitude towards the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not wholly positive, then.

The Guardian

The study was not wholly positive.

Independent

Of course, not everyone was wholly positive.

The Guardian

The company also sounded wholly positive about the year ahead.

The Guardian - Business

Whether that increase in stability is wholly positive is arguable.

The New Yorker

That concept is not necessarily a wholly positive development.

The New York Times

This was a remarkable — and wholly positive — postelection development.

The New York Times

There are rarely situations in life that are wholly positive or negative.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Unlike Westwood, he sees the vice-captaincy of Tiger Woods in a wholly positive light.

The Guardian - Sport

Most newspaper readers would not have seen a single article that was wholly positive.

The Guardian

There is something that isn't necessarily wholly positive about acclaim – it can be deafening.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "wholly positive", ensure the context supports a complete and unreservedly positive perspective. It's most effective when describing outcomes, attitudes, or impacts that are entirely beneficial or favorable.

Common error

Avoid using "wholly positive" when there are even minor drawbacks or mixed results. Overstating the positivity can undermine credibility and misrepresent the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wholly positive" functions as an adverbial modifier, intensifying the adjective it precedes. It indicates that something is completely and without reservation positive. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to describe the extent of something in a positive way.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wholly positive" is a powerful phrase used to describe something that is completely and unreservedly positive. As Ludwig AI notes, it's grammatically correct and frequently used. Its high frequency in news and media contexts, coupled with its neutral-to-formal register, makes it suitable for expressing strong approval or endorsement in various settings. However, writers should use it judiciously, ensuring the context genuinely warrants such an unqualified positive assessment to avoid overstatement and maintain credibility. Alternatives such as "completely positive" or "entirely positive" can offer similar meaning with slight nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely positive

Replaces "wholly" with "completely", indicating total positivity without reservation.

entirely positive

Substitutes "wholly" with "entirely", suggesting a full and unadulterated positive aspect.

fully positive

Uses "fully" instead of "wholly", emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the positivity.

absolutely positive

Replaces "wholly" with "absolutely", conveying a sense of certainty and complete positivity.

utterly positive

Substitutes "wholly" with "utterly", highlighting the intensity and completeness of the positive aspect.

altogether positive

Uses "altogether" instead of "wholly", presenting an overall sense of positivity.

perfectly positive

Replaces "wholly" with "perfectly", suggesting an ideal or flawless positive condition.

exclusively positive

Substitutes "wholly" with "exclusively", indicating positivity without any negative elements.

purely positive

Uses "purely" instead of "wholly", emphasizing the unmixed and untainted nature of the positivity.

thoroughly positive

Replaces "wholly" with "thoroughly", suggesting a deep and comprehensive positive aspect.

FAQs

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

You can use "wholly positive" to describe something that is entirely beneficial or favorable. For example, "The impact of the new policy was "wholly positive", with no negative consequences reported."

What can I say instead of "wholly positive"?

You can use alternatives like "completely positive", "entirely positive", or "absolutely positive" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "wholly positive" and "mostly positive"?

"Wholly positive" indicates that something is entirely and completely positive, with no negative aspects. "Mostly positive" implies that there are some positive aspects, but also some negative or neutral ones. The choice depends on the accuracy you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "wholly positive" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that something has a completely favorable outcome or effect, without any drawbacks. Ensure that your assessment is accurate and supported by evidence.