according to whether

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "according to whether" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a condition or criterion that affects a decision or outcome based on two or more possibilities. Example: "The project will proceed according to whether we receive the necessary funding by the end of the month."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

*-* according to whether ISW(3) is zero or one.

Stanford University

Content-analysis software is listed according to whether or not it is dictionary based.

Harvard University

Branch according to whether we are showing a job or handling the completion of a job.

University of California, Berkeley

Two typical cases, according to whether the communication graph is directed or undirected, are discussed.

Advances in Space Research

Studies were grouped according to whether their main focus was VUE, fetal growth restriction or stillbirth.

Placenta

"You also look at others and help them according to whether they have helped".

The New York Times - Science

Recipes are coded according to whether they are dairy-free, sugar-free, whole-grain or vegetarian.

The New York Times - Food

Each is valid, according to whether we choose Medea's view or everyone else's.

The Guardian - Music

The energy taps can be turned on and off according to whether a country pleases Russia.

The Guardian - Opinion

Another way of classifying documents is according to whether they are evidentiary or dispositive.

Britannica

They then move around the room according to whether their food is hot or cold.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "according to whether" to clearly indicate that a choice, action, or outcome depends on a specific condition or set of circumstances. This helps ensure clarity and precision in your writing.

Common error

Ensure that the "whether" clause clearly presents two distinct possibilities. Avoid vague or open-ended conditions that could lead to confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "according to whether" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a subordinate clause that specifies a condition determining a particular outcome. As shown in Ludwig, this construction sets the stage for presenting alternative scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "according to whether" is a versatile phrase used to introduce conditional statements where the outcome depends on specific circumstances. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various domains, including science, news, and academia. While alternatives like "depending on whether" exist, "according to whether" provides a clear and precise way to establish a conditional relationship in writing. Its frequency and wide acceptance make it a valuable tool for expressing nuanced conditions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depending on if

Replaces "according to whether" with a more concise and informal phrase.

based on whether

Indicates that something is determined or influenced by a specific condition.

depending on whether or not

Adds emphasis to the conditional nature of the situation.

depending if

A shorter version that is less formal but still conveys conditionality.

contingent upon whether

Formal alternative indicating dependence on a particular condition.

subject to whether

Indicates that something is conditional and may change based on circumstances.

conditional on whether

Stresses the dependence of an outcome on a specific criterion.

as determined by whether

Emphasizes the act of determination based on a specific condition.

on the basis of whether

Highlights the rationale or foundation for a decision.

in accordance with whether

Implies compliance or agreement based on a particular condition.

FAQs

What does "according to whether" mean?

The phrase "according to whether" means that something will happen or be determined based on one of two or more possibilities. It introduces a condition that affects a decision or outcome.

How can I use "according to whether" in a sentence?

You can use "according to whether" to indicate that an action or decision depends on a specific condition. For example, "The project will proceed according to whether we receive funding."

What can I say instead of "according to whether"?

You can use alternatives like "depending on whether", "based on whether", or "conditional on whether" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "according to whether" or "depending on whether"?

Both "according to whether" and "depending on whether" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. "Depending on whether" is generally considered more concise and informal.