On the whole
Hedging expression to soften claims
शाब्दिक अर्थ: On the entire thing
Use it to give a general opinion while acknowledging that small exceptions exist.
15 सेकंड में
- Used to summarize a situation while ignoring minor details.
- Acts as a 'buffer' to make opinions sound more balanced.
- Commonly used at the start or end of a sentence.
मतलब
You use this when you want to talk about the general situation rather than specific details. It helps you give a balanced opinion without sounding too extreme or aggressive.
मुख्य उदाहरण
3 / 6Reviewing a vacation
On the whole, the trip was great, even if it rained once.
Generally, the trip was great, even if it rained once.
Business performance review
On the whole, your performance this quarter has been excellent.
Generally speaking, your performance has been excellent.
Texting about a new restaurant
The service was slow, but on the whole, the food was worth it.
The service was slow, but mostly, the food was worth it.
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
This phrase is a classic example of English 'understatement.' It reflects a cultural preference for moderation and avoiding extreme statements. It became a staple of British English in the 19th century to sound more objective and fair-minded.
The 'But' Bridge
Use it after a 'but' to pivot from a specific complaint to a general compliment. Example: 'The coffee was cold, but on the whole, breakfast was great!'
Don't say 'In the whole'
Many people accidentally say 'in the whole' or 'on the total.' Stick to 'on the whole' to sound like a native speaker.
15 सेकंड में
- Used to summarize a situation while ignoring minor details.
- Acts as a 'buffer' to make opinions sound more balanced.
- Commonly used at the start or end of a sentence.
What It Means
Think of on the whole as a bird's-eye view. You are looking at a big picture. You acknowledge there might be small problems. However, the overall result is still positive or consistent. It is a way to say 'mostly' or 'generally.' It acts as a safety net for your opinions. It tells people you aren't ignoring the small stuff. You are just focusing on the main result.
How To Use It
You usually put this at the start of a sentence. It sets the stage for your summary. You can also place it at the very end. For example, 'The party was a success, on the whole.' It functions like a verbal shrug. It says, 'Hey, nothing is perfect, but this was good.' Use it when you want to be fair. It shows you have considered all the facts before speaking.
When To Use It
Use it when giving feedback or reviews. If you liked a movie but hated the popcorn, use this. It’s perfect for business meetings too. It makes you sound thoughtful and measured. Use it when someone asks for your opinion on a big project. It’s great for texting friends about a long weekend trip. It helps you avoid being a 'perfectionist' who only sees the flaws.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for life-or-death situations. If a boat is sinking, don't say, 'On the whole, we are okay.' That’s a bit too calm! Avoid it when you need to be 100% precise. If a math answer is 42, don't say it's 42 on the whole. Also, don't use it if you are genuinely angry. It’s too polite for a real argument. It might make you sound passive-aggressive if used during a heated fight.
Cultural Background
English speakers, especially in the UK and North America, love 'hedging.' We often avoid being too direct to stay polite. Saying 'This is bad' feels too harsh. Saying 'On the whole, it could be better' feels more 'civilized.' It comes from a history of academic and legal writing. It’s about being objective. It suggests you are a person who weighs the pros and cons carefully.
Common Variations
You will often hear all in all or by and large. These mean almost the same thing. Generally speaking is another close cousin. If you want to sound more formal, try all things considered. If you are in a rush, just say mostly. But on the whole remains the classic choice for a balanced perspective. It’s the Goldilocks of phrases—not too casual, not too stiff.
इस्तेमाल की जानकारी
The phrase is highly versatile and fits almost any context. Just remember it is a 'hedging' device—use it when you want to avoid being too black-and-white in your judgments.
The 'But' Bridge
Use it after a 'but' to pivot from a specific complaint to a general compliment. Example: 'The coffee was cold, but on the whole, breakfast was great!'
Don't say 'In the whole'
Many people accidentally say 'in the whole' or 'on the total.' Stick to 'on the whole' to sound like a native speaker.
The British Politeness
In the UK, this is often used to deliver bad news gently. If a Brit says 'On the whole, it was okay,' they might actually mean it was just 'fine' and nothing special.
उदाहरण
6On the whole, the trip was great, even if it rained once.
Generally, the trip was great, even if it rained once.
Focuses on the positive experience despite the weather.
On the whole, your performance this quarter has been excellent.
Generally speaking, your performance has been excellent.
Softens the feedback to focus on the overall success.
The service was slow, but on the whole, the food was worth it.
The service was slow, but mostly, the food was worth it.
Balances a negative point with a positive summary.
I fell into the pool, but on the whole, the wedding was lovely.
I fell into the pool, but mostly, the wedding was lovely.
Uses contrast for comedic effect.
It's been a tough year, but on the whole, we've grown a lot.
It's been a tough year, but overall, we've grown a lot.
Provides a hopeful summary of a struggle.
On the whole, the data supports our initial hypothesis.
In general, the data supports our initial hypothesis.
Used to summarize research findings cautiously.
खुद को परखो
Choose the best phrase to complete the sentence.
The movie was a bit long, but ___ it was very entertaining.
'On the whole' is the standard idiomatic expression for 'generally speaking.'
Where is the most natural place for the phrase?
___, I think the new office policy is a good idea.
The phrase usually starts the sentence to set the context for the opinion.
🎉 स्कोर: /2
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
Formality Level of 'On the whole'
Mostly / Basically
Basically, it was fine.
On the whole
On the whole, it was a success.
All things considered
All things considered, the results are positive.
When to use 'On the whole'
Reviewing a Book
A few boring parts, but great on the whole.
Work Meeting
On the whole, the project is on track.
Travel Chat
On the whole, the hotel was nice.
Personal Growth
On the whole, I'm much happier now.
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
10 सवालIt means 'generally' or 'mostly.' You use it to summarize a situation while ignoring small, unimportant details.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss in a meeting or with your friends at a bar.
Yes! You can say 'The event was successful, on the whole.' It works perfectly as a concluding thought.
They are very similar. All in all sounds slightly more like a final conclusion, while on the whole sounds like a balanced observation.
Yes, it is used in both American and British English, though it sounds slightly more sophisticated in American speech.
Yes, like 'On the whole, he is a very reliable guy.' It means he has flaws, but he is mostly good.
The most common mistake is saying in the whole. Always use the preposition on.
Not necessarily, but it implies that things weren't 100% perfect. It acknowledges that some small issues existed.
Absolutely. It is a great transition phrase for your conclusion paragraph to summarize your main points.
Yes, if you start a sentence with it, you should usually put a comma after it, like: 'On the whole, I agree.'
संबंधित मुहावरे
By and large
Mostly; everything considered.
All in all
Considering everything that has happened.
Generally speaking
In most cases; usually.
For the most part
Mainly or mostly.
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