Entirety vs Entirely: When And How Can You Use Each One?

In the English language, there are many words that are often confused or misused, and “entirety” and “entirely” are two such words. While they may sound similar and have similar meanings, they are not interchangeable. Understanding the difference between these two words can help you communicate more effectively and avoid common errors in your writing.

It is important to note that “entirety” is a noun, while “entirely” is an adverb. The proper use of each word depends on the context in which it is being used.

When we refer to something being in its entirety, we mean that it is complete or whole. For example, “I read the book in its entirety” means that the reader finished reading the entire book, from beginning to end.

On the other hand, “entirely” means completely or wholly. It is used to modify verbs or adjectives to indicate that something is done or felt to the fullest extent possible. For example, “I am entirely grateful for your help” means that the speaker is expressing their full gratitude for the help they received.

Now that we have established the difference between these two words, it is important to understand how to use them correctly in context. In the rest of this article, we will explore common usage errors and provide examples of correct usage to help you improve your writing and communication skills.

Define Entirety

Entirety refers to the state of being complete or whole, without any parts missing or lacking. It is a noun that is often used to describe something that is considered as a whole, rather than as individual parts. For example, a book can be read in its entirety, meaning that all chapters and pages have been read and nothing has been skipped or left out. In legal terms, entirety can refer to the ownership of property by a single person or entity, without any shared ownership or partial interests.

Define Entirely

Entirely is an adverb that means completely or wholly. It is used to describe something that is done or experienced without any exceptions or exclusions. For example, if someone says they are entirely satisfied with a product, it means that they have no complaints or criticisms about it. Similarly, if something is entirely true, it means that there are no falsehoods or inaccuracies in it. The word entirely can also be used to emphasize a statement or to indicate a high degree of certainty or conviction.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Using words correctly in a sentence is crucial in conveying your message clearly and effectively. In this section, we will discuss the proper usage of the words “entirety” and “entirely.”

How To Use “Entirety” In A Sentence

“Entirety” refers to the whole or complete amount of something. It is often used to describe a situation or object that is considered as a whole, without any parts missing or excluded. Here are some examples of how to use “entirety” in a sentence:

• The project was completed in its entirety, with no details left unfinished.
• The company owns the entirety of the building, including all floors and rooms.
• He read the book in its entirety, from the first page to the last.

As you can see, “entirety” is used to describe a complete or whole situation or object. It is often used in formal or professional settings, such as legal documents or business contracts.

How To Use “Entirely” In A Sentence

“Entirely” refers to something that is completely or wholly true, without any exceptions or doubts. It is often used to emphasize a point or to express a strong opinion. Here are some examples of how to use “entirely” in a sentence:

• I entirely agree with your point of view on this matter.
• The new policy is entirely unfair to employees, and should be revised immediately.
• The movie was entirely too long, and could have been edited down to a shorter length.

As you can see, “entirely” is used to express a strong opinion or to emphasize a point. It is often used in informal or conversational settings, such as personal conversations or social media posts.

More Examples Of Entirety & Entirely Used In Sentences

In order to fully understand the usage of the words “entirety” and “entirely,” it is important to examine them in context. Below are several examples of how each word can be used in a sentence.

Examples Of Using “Entirety” In A Sentence

• The company was sold in its entirety to a larger corporation.
• The novel was read in its entirety by the end of the weekend.
• The storm destroyed the house in its entirety.
• The contract must be reviewed in its entirety before signing.
• The museum acquired the artist’s collection in its entirety.
• The project was completed in its entirety by the deadline.
• The speech was recorded in its entirety for future reference.
• The play was performed in its entirety without any intermissions.
• The article was rejected in its entirety due to plagiarism.
• The book was translated in its entirety into several languages.

Examples Of Using “Entirely” In A Sentence

• The decision was entirely up to the board of directors.
• The movie was entirely filmed on location in Hawaii.
• The new policy was entirely different from the previous one.
• The cake was entirely made from scratch using organic ingredients.
• The results of the study were entirely unexpected.
• The athlete was entirely focused on winning the championship.
• The painting was entirely composed of abstract shapes and colors.
• The proposal was entirely rejected by the committee.
• The concert was entirely sold out within minutes of going on sale.
• The plan was entirely dependent on funding from the government.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using words in the English language, it’s easy to get confused by similar-sounding words that have different meanings. One such pair of words that people often mix up are “entirety” and “entirely”. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when using these words:

Using “Entirety” When You Mean “Entirely”

One common mistake people make is using “entirety” when they actually mean “entirely”. “Entirety” refers to the whole or total of something, while “entirely” means completely or wholly. For example, saying “I ate the entirety of the pizza” would mean that you ate the whole pizza, while saying “I ate the pizza entirely” would mean that you ate the pizza completely or wholly.

Using “Entirely” When You Mean “In Its Entirety”

Another mistake people make is using “entirely” when they actually mean “in its entirety”. “In its entirety” means the whole or complete thing, while “entirely” means completely or wholly. For example, saying “I read the book entirely” would mean that you read the book completely or wholly, while saying “I read the book in its entirety” would mean that you read the whole book.

Not Considering The Context

It’s important to consider the context in which you’re using these words. “Entirety” and “entirely” have different meanings and uses, so make sure you’re using the right word for the situation. If you’re unsure, look up the definitions or ask someone for help.

Tips To Avoid Making These Mistakes

• Double-check the definitions of “entirety” and “entirely” before using them.
• Consider the context in which you’re using the words.
• If you’re unsure, ask someone for help or look up the definitions.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between the words “entirety” and “entirely,” context is key. Both words have similar meanings, but their usage can vary depending on the context in which they are used.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Here are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “entirety” and “entirely” might change:

Context	Example Sentence	Preferred Word Choice
Describing a Whole	The entirety of the project was completed.	Entirety
Emphasizing Completeness	The project was entirely completed on time.	Entirely
Expressing an Opinion	I entirely disagree with your point of view.	Entirely
Indicating a State of Being	The company was in a state of entirety.	Entirety

As you can see from the examples above, the choice between “entirety” and “entirely” can depend on the intended meaning of the sentence. When describing a whole or indicating a state of being, “entirety” is the preferred word choice. On the other hand, when emphasizing completeness or expressing an opinion, “entirely” is the better option.

It’s important to consider the context in which these words are being used to ensure that the intended meaning is clear and accurate.

Exceptions To The Rules

Although the rules for using entirety and entirely are generally straightforward, there are a few exceptions where they might not apply. Below are some of the exceptions along with explanations and examples for each case:

1. Idiomatic Expressions

Idiomatic expressions are phrases that have a figurative meaning that is different from the literal meaning of the words. In some cases, these expressions may use “entirety” or “entirely” in a way that does not follow the standard rules.

For example:

• “In its entirety” is an idiomatic expression that means “completely” or “in full.”
• “Entirely possible” is another idiomatic expression that means “very likely.”

In these cases, it is important to use the correct expression rather than trying to substitute “entirety” or “entirely.”

2. Legal Language

In legal language, the use of “entirety” and “entirely” may have specific meanings that differ from their standard usage.

For example:

Term	Meaning
Tenancy by the entirety	A form of joint ownership for married couples
Entire agreement clause	A clause in a contract that states that the contract represents the entire agreement between the parties

In legal language, it is important to use “entirety” and “entirely” in accordance with their specific meanings.

3. Regional Variations

In some regions or dialects, the rules for using “entirety” and “entirely” may differ from the standard rules.

For example:

• In British English, “entirely” is sometimes used to mean “very” or “extremely.”
• In some dialects of American English, “entirety” is used more frequently than “entirely.”

In these cases, it is important to be aware of the regional variations and use the appropriate terminology.

Practice Exercises

Now that we have discussed the difference between “entirety” and “entirely,” it’s time to put your knowledge to the test. Below are some practice exercises to help you improve your understanding and use of these words in sentences:

Exercise 1:

Choose the correct word to complete each sentence:

Sentence	Correct Word
The project was completed in its entirety/entirely.	entirety
I entirety/entirely disagree with your opinion.	entirely
The movie was a entirety/entirely new experience for me.	entirely
The company was sold in its entirety/entirely.	entirety

Answer Key:

• The project was completed in its entirety.
• I entirely disagree with your opinion.
• The movie was entirely a new experience for me.
• The company was sold in its entirety.

Exercise 2:

Write a sentence using “entirety” and a sentence using “entirely” to demonstrate your understanding of the difference between the two words.

Answer:

• The hurricane destroyed the town in its entirety.
• I entirely agree with your proposal to improve the company’s marketing strategy.

By practicing these exercises, you can improve your understanding and use of “entirety” and “entirely” in your writing and communication.

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between entirety and entirely, it is clear that these two words have distinct meanings and should be used appropriately in writing and speech.

Key Takeaways

• Entirety refers to the whole or complete state of something, while entirely means completely or wholly.
• Entirety is often used in legal language and formal writing, while entirely is more commonly used in everyday speech and informal writing.
• Confusing these two words can lead to misunderstandings and inaccuracies in communication.

As writers and communicators, it is important to have a strong understanding of grammar and language use. By continuing to learn and improve our skills, we can ensure that our messages are clear and effective.