The phrase "the whole time" is commonly used to refer to the entire duration of an event or situation. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word "whole" is pronounced /hoʊl/, with the "o" sound as in "go" and a silent "e" at the end. The word "time" is pronounced /taɪm/, with a long "i" sound as in "eye" and a silent "e" at the end. Together, these two words are typically pronounced as /ðə hoʊl taɪm/ in American English.
The phrase "the whole time" is an idiomatic expression used to refer to the entire duration or period under consideration. It implies that something has persisted or remained true throughout a specific time frame, without interruption or change. This phrase is commonly used to highlight continuity or emphasize consistency.
When used in conversations, "the whole time" conveys that an action or condition has been ongoing from the beginning until now, without any breaks or alterations. It suggests that the subject in question has not deviated or shifted its states or circumstances throughout the defined period.
For instance, if someone claims, "I knew the answer the whole time," they are conveying that they were aware of the answer for the entire duration of a given situation, indicating that their knowledge remained constant and unchanged throughout that period.
In summary, "the whole time" refers to the entirety of a specific time frame, signifying that something has remained continuous, consistent, or unchanged from the beginning until the present moment. This phrase is often used to stress the longevity, persistence, or consistency of a particular action, condition, or knowledge.