In the sentence "I had had great experiences before, but this one was like a whole nother level", I understand the idea, but I'm also aware that saying a whole nother is not grammatical. Is there an alternative way of saying the same sentence such that 1) it's grammatically correct and 2) does not lose the original meaning and emphasis?
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7"This was on a whole other level" is grammatically and idiomatically correct– mplungjanNov 14, 2020 at 14:30
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2Does this answer your question? word that means: causing a paradigm shift, new era, revolution 'But this was a quantum leap.'– Edwin AshworthNov 14, 2020 at 14:49
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A completely different level– JimNov 14, 2020 at 16:49
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1"a whole nother level" is perhaps not appropriate for formal writing, but it is certainly grammatical.– Matt SamuelNov 14, 2020 at 21:57
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Why do you think "a whole nother" is not grammatical?– nnnnnnNov 14, 2020 at 23:58
3 Answers
"Another" is ambiguous: "another N" can mean "an additional N" or "an alternative N". So, according to which of those senses you mean, I suggest "a whole other level" and "a whole different level".
Instead of "a whole 'nother level," you could say the following: paramount, superior, revolutionary, unparalleled, or incomparable.
Of the words listed above, I think "unparalleled" best conveys the intended meaning of your sentence.
"I had had great experiences before, but this one was unparalleled."
If you want, you can qualify unparalleled to be more specific: unparalleled in its _______ .
"Whole 'nother" is often paired with "use ta could". Those who use these types of colloquialisms often have additional meaning than a more grammatically correct term. Any word/phrase you can use to get another human to understand you is good, spelling it with correct punctuation can indicate that is the way you intended, if not using the latin (sic). Dadda beda!
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3How is "whole 'nother" paired with "used ta could"? Do you mean people who use the first expression also use the second? I have heard "a whole 'nother" plenty of times and say it myself, but I don't recall having heard "used ta could" and have certainly never said it.– nnnnnnNov 14, 2020 at 23:53