wholly true

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wholly true" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something is completely or entirely accurate without any exceptions. Example: "The statement he made about the project's success was wholly true, reflecting the hard work of the entire team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

This is not wholly true.

The New York Times

Nor is it wholly true.

The Guardian

This was not wholly true.

The New York Times

I'm not sure that's wholly true.

The Guardian - Film

It seems that is not, in fact, wholly true.

The Economist

It's Babson Jingleheimer-Schmidt. I'm sorry, that's not wholly true.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

The denial was true, and yet not quite wholly and completely true, because in some private and possibly self-ironising or satirical way, it did once.

The Guardian - Opinion

To which Darling replied: "It doesn't". The denial was true, and yet not quite wholly and completely true, because in some private and possibly self-ironising or satirical way, it did once.

The Guardian - Opinion

If you want to go into all of the details of why this might not be wholly and entirely true then your best source is probably Christopher Balding.

Forbes

Essentially, they are being handed an official declaration from the American President, in front of the whole world, that what they have been saying about the war on Islam by the West is wholly and completely true.

Huffington Post

"This will add more to the already huge expense of fighting this case, all for my freedom of speech, for writing something in the public interest about someone who's actions are wholly inconsistent with true Sikh values".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wholly true" to emphasize the complete and unconditional truth of a statement, especially when addressing potential doubts or nuances.

Common error

Avoid using "wholly true" when the truth is already self-evident. Overuse can weaken the impact and make your writing sound redundant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wholly true" functions as an adjectival modifier, emphasizing the completeness and totality of the truth being asserted. It intensifies the adjective "true", indicating that something is not just somewhat true, but entirely and without exception true. This is supported by Ludwig, which shows examples where it modifies statements to highlight their accuracy.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wholly true" serves as an emphatic adjectival modifier, underscoring the complete and unconditional veracity of a statement. It is deemed grammatically correct and relatively common, predominantly appearing in News & Media and Encyclopedias. Although it is correct, Ludwig AI suggests being cautious about overusing this phrase, as it may sound redundant if the truth is already self-evident. Consider alternatives like "completely accurate" or "entirely correct" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Completely accurate

Emphasizes the absence of errors or inaccuracies.

Entirely correct

Highlights the absence of any mistakes or faults.

Absolutely true

Stresses the lack of any doubt or uncertainty.

Undeniably true

Suggests the truth is so evident that it cannot be questioned.

Indisputably correct

Implies the correctness is beyond any possibility of dispute.

Unquestionably accurate

Highlights that the accuracy is not subject to questioning.

Perfectly valid

Focuses on the soundness and legitimacy of something.

Without a doubt true

Emphasizes the certainty and lack of reservation.

Factually correct

Highlights that something aligns with verifiable facts.

Accurate in every detail

Stresses comprehensiveness and precision.

FAQs

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

You can use "wholly true" to emphasize the complete accuracy of a statement. For example, "The report's findings were "wholly true", confirming our initial suspicions."

What are some alternatives to "wholly true"?

Alternatives to "wholly true" include "completely accurate", "entirely correct", or "absolutely true". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "absolutely wholly true"?

Yes, saying "absolutely wholly true" is generally redundant. "Wholly" already implies completeness, so adding "absolutely" doesn't add significant meaning.

What's the difference between "partially true" and "not wholly true"?

"Partially true" indicates that some aspects are accurate, while others are not. "Not wholly true" implies that while there might be elements of truth, the statement is not entirely accurate or complete. The latter suggests a higher degree of potential inaccuracy.