whole

[Snowcake]

I came across this problem in my private tutoring lessons today. I wanted my pupil to write down some sentences with the word whole.
I know it is possible to say:

the whole day
the whole morning etc.

However, what about this sentence?

You were a whole hour in the garden.

This sounds peculiar to me. Whole hour? Is it correct? If not, why not?

Besides, I was in doubt whether the order is right (place before time).

Can anyone help me along, please?

Thank you.

Snowcake

[engee30]

I'd go for:

You spent a/the whole hour in the garden.
You were in the garden (for) a/the whole hour.

To me, your sentence looks fine as well, but, as you pointed that out yourself, the order does not seem good.

[Neillythere]

I'm not a teacher, but, as a Brit, I'd agree fully with engee30.

I would, however, expect it to be followed by a comment such as:
"What on earth were you doing!"

Regards

[Snowcake]

Thank you so much.

Sometimes it's so easy.

Regards,
Snowcake

[gybbyr]

I think the problem is that: "a whole day" feels meaningful, whereas "a whole hour" feels superfluous. I think you would simply say "an hour".

For example, " he spent a whole day sunbathing in the garden". And, "he spent an hour sunbathing in the garden".

[gybbyr]

Sorry, but I am trying to suggest that it is a question of degree. For example, " he spent a whole hour doing something he should have finished in five minutes" sounds o.k, because you are showing that spending a whole hour doing this was excessive. I hope you see what I mean.

[Snowcake]

Thank you, gybbyr. Yes, I see what you mean - and it's a very useful comment.

Regards,
Snowcake

[David L.]

Your were a whole hour in the bathroom! What about me!

Said by a brother to his teenage sister. Meaning: You hogged the bathroom!