able to determine whether

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "able to determine whether" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the capacity to assess or evaluate a situation or condition. Example: "The researchers were able to determine whether the new treatment was effective in reducing symptoms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We have not been able to determine whether it's any worse in one place or another.

The New York Times

McAfee was not, however, able to determine whether the hacks were state sponsored.

The New Yorker

We have not been able to determine whether he was convicted.

The New York Times

Dr. Agelarakis said he should be able to determine whether the men were young, middle or older adults.

The New York Times

No one has been able to determine whether the breakdown took place before or after his rupture with her.

The New Yorker

There was no word on whether the lab was able to determine whether the drowning was accidental.

The New York Times

Agricultural officials here have not been able to determine whether the dead bird was migratory or resident.

The New York Times

But no one, not even the candidates themselves, should be able to determine whether my vote counts.

The New York Times

(I wasn't able to determine whether the drawing ever appeared at any other time in the magazine).

The New Yorker

By looking at how patients' movements change over time, doctors will be able to determine whether a therapy works.

The New York Times - Health

The Israeli government could not confirm his citizenship, and for a full day, no journalist was able to determine whether he existed or not.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "able to determine whether", ensure the context clearly indicates the criteria or method used for the determination. This adds clarity and credibility to your statement.

Common error

Avoid phrasing sentences with "able to determine whether" in a way that obscures who is doing the determining. For instance, instead of "It should be able to determine whether...", specify "The system should be able to determine whether...".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "able to determine whether" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive, creating a complex expression that describes the capacity to ascertain or establish a condition or fact. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "able to determine whether" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression across diverse contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves to indicate the capacity to ascertain or establish a condition, often in scenarios requiring assessment or judgment. While versatile, it is most commonly found in news, scientific, and formal business writing. When employing this phrase, clarity and specificity are key to ensuring effective communication. The phrase is considered to be correct by Ludwig AI and can be used to discuss one's capacity to evaluate a situation or condition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capable of ascertaining whether

Replaces "able" with "capable", emphasizing the inherent ability.

able to ascertain if

Uses "if" instead of "whether", simplifying the conjunction.

in a position to ascertain whether

Indicates the necessary circumstances are present for determination.

able to establish whether

Replaces "determine" with "establish", implying a stronger confirmation.

able to assess if

Replaces determine with assess and whether with if.

in a position to judge whether

Substitutes "determine" with "judge", suggesting an evaluation.

in a position to conclude whether

Replaces "determine" with "conclude", suggesting a deduction.

in a position to verify if

Substitutes determine with verify and whether with if, highlighting the verification process.

capable of finding out whether

Uses "find out" instead of "determine", making the phrase more informal.

can figure out whether

Uses a more informal phrasing with "figure out" instead of "determine".

FAQs

How can I use "able to determine whether" in a sentence?

Use "able to determine whether" to indicate the capacity to find something out. For example, "The study was "able to determine whether" the new drug had any side effects".

What can I say instead of "able to determine whether"?

Alternatives include "capable of ascertaining whether", "in a position to judge whether", or "able to establish whether", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "able to determine whether" or "able to determine if"?

"Able to determine whether" is generally preferred in formal writing, as "whether" explicitly presents two alternatives. "Able to determine if" is acceptable but can sometimes be ambiguous.

What's the difference between "able to determine whether" and "capable of determining whether"?

The difference is subtle; ""able to determine whether"" suggests a situational capacity, while "capable of determining whether" implies an inherent ability.