Meaning
Generally speaking; taking all factors together.
Primary Function
Summarizing or evaluating overall impressions.
Communicative Purpose
To indicate a general consensus or conclusion after considering multiple aspects.
Pattern
On the whole
Core Structure
on the whole
Função primária
Summarizing or evaluating overall impressions.
Propósito comunicativo
To indicate a general consensus or conclusion after considering multiple aspects.
Situações de gatilho
When concluding an analysis, report, review, or discussion where several points have been presented.
Contextos
Academic writing (essays, reports), professional presentations, business meetings, casual conversation when summarizing experiences.
Padrão
On the whole
Estrutura central
on the whole
Slots de substituição
none
Colocados típicos
- positive
- satisfactory
- good
Substituições comuns
- overall
- by and large
- all things considered
Erros comuns
Misusing ‘in the whole’ (incorrect preposition).
Similar / contraste
in general, generally speaking, for the most part
Interferências
‘Whole’ refers to totality, not merely quantity.
Família do chunk
- Holistic evaluation
Nuance
Neutral tone used for balanced judgment; does not imply strong agreement or disagreement.
Efeito pragmático
Signals that the speaker is providing an overall assessment rather than focusing on exceptions.
Dica de memória
overall view
Nota
This phrase is often used to provide a balanced view of a situation, considering both positive and negative aspects.
Upgrade path
on the whole → all things considered → overall
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