On the Whole – Meaning and Examples

Have you ever wanted to say that something is mostly good—or mostly bad—even if there were a few small problems? In English, we often use the phrase on the whole to share a general opinion. It’s a simple, natural way to summarize your thoughts in conversations, emails, or reviews.

What Does “on the whole” Mean?

“On the whole” means “in general” or “overall.” Think of it like stepping back and looking at the big picture instead of focusing on every little detail. It’s not about your actual whole—it’s just a phrase to show your general feeling about something.

When to Use It

You can use “on the whole” in many everyday situations:
• When giving feedback (“On the whole, the event was great!”)
• In writing reviews or summaries (“On the whole, I’d recommend this movie.”)
• During casual chats about trips, jobs, or experiences
It’s neutral in tone—fine for both speaking and writing, and works well in semi-formal contexts like emails or school assignments.

Example Sentences

On the whole, I enjoyed the conference, even though one session was boring.
The hotel was a bit noisy, but on the whole, our stay was comfortable.
On the whole, learning English has been easier than I expected.
She found the course challenging, but on the whole, very useful.

Mini Dialogue

Ravi: “How was your trip to Mumbai?”

Anya: “On the whole, it was amazing! The traffic was crazy, but the food and people were wonderful.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t use “on the whole” when you’re talking about one specific detail—it’s for general summaries only. Also, don’t confuse it with “whole” as in “the whole pizza.”

❌ Don’t: “On the whole, I spilled coffee this morning.” (That’s just one bad moment!)
✅ Do: “On the whole, my week has been pretty good.”

Practice Tip

Think about your last week. Say out loud: “On the whole, it was ______.” Fill in the blank with “good,” “busy,” “fun,” or another word!

Final Note

Now you can use “on the whole” to sound thoughtful and natural when sharing your overall opinion. Keep using it in real life—it’s a small phrase that makes a big difference. You’re doing great!

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