Teacher Discussion Forums

Can I use the word "whole " without 'the' ?

Whole civilizations ~

Thanks.

Yes it is fine to say whole civilizations. Civilizations is plural so you dont need the.

But, when "whole" has the meaning of being "entire," don't we ususally say "the whole?"

For example, don't we say?
The whole city was distructed.
The whole cities were distructed

heyiamhere wrote:But, when "whole" has the meaning of being "entire," don't we ususally say "the whole?"

For example, don't we say?
The whole city was distructed.
The whole cities were distructed

The whole city was destroyed. (all of one city)
Whole cities were destroyed. (all of more than one city)

Stephen Jones wrote:The whole city was destroyed.
Whole cities were destroyed.

I'm delighted you liked my answer too Stephen

Because the software for this forum is so ropy (or the servers inadequate for the number of users) it took me nearly an hour to successfully post.

When I wrote my reply yours was not up.

Glad to see you agree with me though