Actually all and whole both refer to an entire group of people or things.

"All" vs. "Whole" in the English Grammar

What Are Their Main Differences?

With a singular noun, it is possible to use 'whole' instead of 'all'.

Differences

Grammatical Functions

  • 'Whole': is used as
  1. an adjective (only before a noun)

The whole story was a lie. → adjective

  • 'All' is used as:

All his friends tried hard to make the wedding easier for him. → determiner

Last night I was in our old house. All were covered by dust. → pronoun

The victim was drowning all in blood. → adverb

Singular or Plural Nouns?

  • 'All':

is followed by a singular or plural noun.

All the animals have their unique anatomies.

I waited for him all day.

  • 'Whole':

is just followed by a singular noun.

He ate the whole fish in a blink.

Singular or Plural Verbs?

  • 'All':

is followed by a singular or plural verb.

All his efforts were/was forgotten by his death.

  • 'Whole':

is followed by a singular verb.

The whole university was being washed.

Similarities

What 'Whole' and 'All' Mean

  • 'whole' and 'all':

mean 'entire', but 'all' can refer to more than one; while 'whole' is only used before singular nouns.

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