Thread: Upon the whole

Hi everyone!
Could you explain me please the meaning of the words : Upon the whole?
Tell me a couple of long phrases when I can meet such words?
Thank you for help!

Так это же чуток "усложнённая" фраза "on the whole".

Soule's Dictionary of Synonyms даёт следующие синонимы: all things considered, in view of all the circumstances, taking everything into account, on the whole.

then should I understand it like в целом, беря в расчёт всё вышесказанное, в виду всех обстоятельств?
Does it have any links with such words as: generally, mainly, in general, anyway?

Thanks Rtyom!

It's perfectly acceptable to link 'On the whole' with words such as: generally, in general, mainly, mostly, largely etc.

It's usually "on the whole", not "upon the whole". I guess about the best equivalent phrase would be "most of the time", but "generally", etc., are pretty much the same.

"On the whole, I don't like classical music."

Thank you guys very much!
Such a relief to know that that words have so short meaning!

On the whole, I am fond of classical music!

now tell me if I got it wrong:
I should always write comma after or before&after the words on the whole.
Is it right?

Yes, when you use on the whole there should be a comma afterwards.

It sounds more natural to say on the whole at the beginning of a sentence and something like generally can go at the beginning or the end, so the comma should only come afterwards.

e.g:

'I generally like classical music'
'I like classical music in general'
'On the whole, I like classical music'

When you compare things, you might end up putting the "on the whole" at the end, such as:

"I like classical music more than R&B, on the whole."

It definitely needs a comma with it, though.

Thanks again волк and Alex!
On the whole is a wrong word - you answered my question completelly!

Commas in this case are all about the violation of the direct order of words in an English sentence, Leof. When you take an adverbial modifier from its proper place and put it, say, in the beginning, then you certainly need a comma sign over there.

The example by Seventh-Monkey is an interesting example of its use too. I think it's to avoid the ambiguity... However I am not sure why it is so imortant. Anyone to explain, please?

It's important because you have to have it. "I don't like classical music on the whole" reads like it needs more words. You could put some in to fix it up... "I'm supposed to write 'I don't like classical music' on the whole sheet of paper."

Without the comma, you're saying that you don't like "classical music on the whole". It's a bit hard to explain, because that doesn't make any sense on its own, but that's what makes it need a comma.

If you said "I don't like classical music on the whole", without a pause, and evenly-emphasised, it'd sound like you were referring to something called "Classical Music On the Whole", a band or something.

Hey, where did my avatar go? That's better.

Man, this forum rules.

Oh thank you...

James Burke - the English and author of TV series Connetions - he was who said "Upon the whole". Now he said "Above all" - does it mean the same?

No, that means "most importantly", "for the greatest consideration".

Thank you Alex once again!

Upon the whole sounds funny...maybe old english or very formal??

I think the best equivalent is "all things considered".

You don't use "on the whole"?

Originally Posted by Seventh-Monkey

When you compare things, you might end up putting the "on the whole" at the end, such as:

"I like classical music more than R&B, on the whole."

It definitely needs a comma with it, though.

I'd say

"On the whole, I like classical music more than R&B"

I'd say "R&B suck forever, on the whole."