wholly understandable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wholly understandable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is completely clear or easy to comprehend. Example: "Given the complexity of the topic, her explanation was wholly understandable and helped clarify many points."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

When it comes to chemical weapons, the Syrian opposition has similar and wholly understandable motives.

Independent

But reflect for a moment on loyalty and the appointment is wholly understandable.

Independent

This would feel traitorous if it wasn't wholly understandable on Harper's part.

The Washington Post

In many ways this is wholly understandable; faecal bacteria spread easily, reproduce quickly and can lead directly to illness.

The Guardian

In the current (wholly understandable) Bush-bashing environment, just mentioning the US elicits reactions ranging from suspicion to outrage.

The Guardian - Travel

As a personal campaign it's wholly understandable; as a wider cultural response to the horror of rape, it's plainly an indication of misogyny.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Possibly not, in fairness that's completely understandable and not wholly reprehensible.

Forbes

Totally understandable.

The New York Times

Completely understandable.

HuffPost

Independent Editorial, July 27 "In the aftermath of a terrorist attack, a symbolic unity across the political spectrum is understandable and, on one level, wholly desirable.

The Guardian

"It is wholly appropriate, given the sensitivities to this issue, the understandable sensitivities," Mr. Carney told reporters, adding that "it was absolutely the right thing to do".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context to ensure the intensity of "wholly" is appropriate; sometimes, "understandable" alone may suffice for less emphatic situations.

Common error

Avoid using "wholly understandable" in casual conversations or informal writing where simpler alternatives like "understandable" or "makes sense" are more appropriate. The formality of "wholly" can sound stilted in everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wholly understandable" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something that is completely comprehensible or justifiable. As Ludwig AI points out, it expresses a clear and complete understanding.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "wholly understandable" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey that something is completely comprehensible or justified. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for expressing agreement or validation, particularly in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in informal settings where simpler expressions suffice. When a strong emphasis on comprehensibility is needed, "wholly understandable" effectively communicates a complete and unquestionable understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely comprehensible

Emphasizes full and thorough understanding, similar to "wholly understandable" but focuses on the ability to comprehend.

entirely reasonable

Focuses on the logic and justification behind something, implying it makes sense under the circumstances.

perfectly justified

Highlights the validity and righteousness of an action or decision, stressing its defensibility.

fully justified

Similar to 'perfectly justified' but with a slightly less emphatic tone, focusing on complete justification.

easily grasped

Stresses the simplicity and ease with which something can be understood, suggesting a lack of complexity.

readily understood

Highlights the quickness and ease of comprehension, implying immediate clarity.

logically sound

Emphasizes the rational and coherent nature of something, suggesting it follows a clear line of reasoning.

eminently justifiable

Suggests that something is highly and unquestionably justifiable, carrying a strong endorsement.

thoroughly reasonable

Highlights the comprehensive and well-considered nature of something, indicating careful thought and justification.

patently clear

Focuses on the obviousness and self-evidence of something, implying no need for further explanation.

FAQs

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

You can use "wholly understandable" to describe actions, feelings, or decisions that are easily comprehensible. For instance, "Given the circumstances, her decision was "wholly understandable"."

What are some alternatives to "wholly understandable"?

Alternatives include "completely comprehensible", "entirely reasonable", or "perfectly justified", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "completely wholly understandable"?

Yes, using both "completely" and "wholly" is redundant since they both intensify the meaning of "understandable". It's best to choose either "completely understandable" or "wholly understandable".

When is it appropriate to use "wholly understandable" instead of just "understandable"?

Use "wholly understandable" when you want to strongly emphasize that something is not just understandable, but completely and unquestionably so. It's suitable when there might be a prior expectation of difficulty or doubt.