The whole is preferred to any single part.

Explanation

Every part of an instrument must be read together and harmonized; no single clause may be wrested from its place to defeat the whole.

Where this applies

• One clause is being used to defeat the purpose of the entire contract.
• A single part is being read in a way that contradicts the whole document.
• Every part of the agreement should be read together to make sense as a whole.

See also

• 10.1.2 The best interpretation is drawn from what goes before and what follows.
• 10.2.6 Words ought to have some operation.