When we can split up a thing into parts, we can use either
whole or
all:
You don’t have to pay the whole (of the) bill at once. - You don’t have to pay all (of) the bill at once.
She ate the whole orange. - She ate all of the orange.
We often use the whole of with periods of time to emphasise duration [om tijdsduur te benadrukken]:
- We spent the whole (of the) summer at the beach.
We use all the and not the whole with uncountable nouns:
She was given all the advice she needed. - Not: She was given the whole advice …
All the equipment is for free. - Not: The whole equipment …
We usually use all the and all of the with plural nouns [zelfstandige naamwoorden in het meervoud]:
- It’s funny when all the actors come in dressed up in their costumes.
- She opens all of the cupboard doors and doesn’t close them after her.
When we use whole with plural nouns, it means ‘complete’ or ‘entire’:
Compare