wholly unacceptable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wholly unacceptable" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is completely unacceptable or completely not acceptable. Example: The company's discriminatory hiring practices are wholly unacceptable and go against our values of diversity and inclusion.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"This is wholly unacceptable".

Independent

It is wholly unacceptable.

The Guardian

These things are wholly unacceptable.

The Guardian

A cone, however, is wholly unacceptable.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It is a wholly unacceptable state of affairs".

Independent

"The disruption suffered by passengers is wholly unacceptable.

The Guardian - Business

He added: "What happened in the past was wholly unacceptable.

The Guardian

Indeed, even ordinary, inoffensive speech may be wholly unacceptable in some settings.

Cornell University

However, they decided to remove him the following day, calling his behaviour "wholly unacceptable".

Independent

The intelligence community allowed themselves to be manipulated in a wholly unacceptable way.

Independent

"The arrangements for children and single women were now wholly unacceptable," her visit revealed.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "wholly unacceptable" to convey a strong stance against behaviors, actions, or outcomes that violate established principles or standards.

Common error

Avoid using "wholly unacceptable" in casual conversations or informal writing, as its formal tone might seem overly dramatic or pretentious. Opt for alternatives like "not okay" or "out of line" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wholly unacceptable" functions as an adjectival phrase used to modify a noun or pronoun, expressing a strong negative judgment. It is utilized to emphasize that something is entirely and completely not acceptable. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "wholly unacceptable" is a powerful way to express strong disapproval. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically sound and commonly used. It functions as an adjectival phrase with the purpose of condemning actions, behaviors, or situations that violate established norms. While prevalent in formal contexts such as news reports and academic writing, it should be used judiciously in informal settings. Alternatives like "completely unacceptable" or "utterly unacceptable" can offer similar intensity. The phrase is primarily found in news, academic, and business contexts, highlighting its role in expressing serious disagreement or condemnation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely unacceptable

Emphasizes the complete lack of acceptance, similar to the original phrase but with a slightly stronger tone.

completely unacceptable

Indicates a total lack of acceptability, mirroring the meaning of "wholly unacceptable".

utterly unacceptable

Highlights the extreme degree to which something is not acceptable.

totally unacceptable

Similar to 'completely', but can sometimes carry a more informal tone.

entirely unacceptable

Suggests that every aspect of something is unacceptable.

patently unacceptable

Implies that the unacceptability is obvious or evident.

manifestly unacceptable

Similar to 'patently' and suggests the unacceptability is clear and undeniable.

thoroughly unacceptable

Indicates a comprehensive level of unacceptability.

categorically unacceptable

Emphasizes that the unacceptability is firm and without exception.

thoroughly inappropriate

Indicates something that's not just unacceptable, but also unsuitable.

FAQs

What does "wholly unacceptable" mean?

The phrase "wholly unacceptable" means completely unacceptable or entirely not acceptable. It expresses a strong disapproval or rejection of something.

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

You can use "wholly unacceptable" to describe something that violates principles or standards. For example: "The company's discriminatory hiring practices are "wholly unacceptable"."

What are some alternatives to "wholly unacceptable"?

Alternatives to "wholly unacceptable" include "completely unacceptable", "utterly unacceptable", or "entirely unacceptable", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "wholly unacceptable" formal or informal?

"Wholly unacceptable" is generally considered a formal phrase. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "not okay" or "out of line" may be more appropriate.