based on whether

USAGE SUMMARY

"based on whether" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to provide a basis for a comparison of two or more possibilities. For example: We will decide which restaurant to go to tonight based on whether they have vegetarian options.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The Essential poll interestingly breaks voters down based on whether they have already voted.

The Guardian

I almost chose my college based on whether it had a good ethnobotany program.

The New York Times

The shape of next year's Senate is based on whether that level of performance will continue.

The New Yorker

You could make 3 or 7, based on whether you could draw the ball or not.

The New York Times - Sports

His representation should not be based on whether he likes the state law".

The New York Times

Species would be delineated based on whether they could mate and bear fertile offspring.

The New Yorker

And anyway, your identity shouldn't be based on whether or not you're doing hormones".

The Guardian - Music

But these studies didn't segregate patients based on whether their sepsis was bacterial or viral.

The Guardian

He just wants to choose his material based on whether he likes it.

The New York Times - Magazine

I think expenditures were approved or rejected based on whether their account was overdrawn.

The New York Times

The distinction is based on whether skill is required to operate the device.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "based on whether", ensure that the two or more possibilities being considered are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "based on whether" without explicitly stating the different possible scenarios or outcomes. This omission can confuse readers and weaken the sentence's clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "based on whether" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a dependent clause that specifies the condition upon which a particular action, decision, or state depends. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to compare two or more possibilities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

34%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "based on whether" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to introduce a condition upon which an outcome depends. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is grammatically correct and common across numerous sources, notably in news media and scientific publications. The phrase’s effectiveness relies on clearly stating the conditions being considered. While straightforward, overuse can be avoided by incorporating alternatives such as "depending on if" or "subject to whether" to diversify writing style. By understanding its function and potential pitfalls, writers can use "based on whether" to articulate conditional relationships effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depending on if

This alternative simplifies the phrase, replacing "whether" with "if" while retaining the conditional meaning.

subject to whether

This phrase adds a sense of conditionality and possible constraint to the situation.

contingent upon whether

This alternative emphasizes the dependence of an outcome on a particular condition being met.

predicated on whether

This suggests that the truth or validity of something is founded on a specific condition.

as determined by whether

This option emphasizes that a decision or classification is made after considering a specific condition.

in accordance with whether

This phrase indicates that actions or decisions are guided by specific criteria being met.

conditional on whether

This wording stresses the conditional nature of a result or decision, depending on whether something is true.

dependent on if

A simpler alternative highlighting the dependency of an outcome on a condition, using "if" instead of "whether".

governed by whether

This suggests that a rule or principle is applied according to whether a certain condition exists.

regulated by whether

This indicates that something is controlled or managed depending on a specific condition.

FAQs

How can I use "based on whether" in a sentence?

Use "based on whether" to indicate that a decision, result, or classification depends on a specific condition. For example, "The project will proceed "depending on whether" we secure funding."

What's a simple alternative to "based on whether"?

A simpler alternative is "depending on if". For example, "We'll go to the park "depending on if" it's sunny."

Is it ever wrong to use "based on whether"?

It's not grammatically wrong, but overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Consider using synonyms like "subject to whether" or "contingent upon whether" to vary your sentence structure.

What's the difference between "based on whether" and "because of whether"?

"Based on whether" implies a condition determines an outcome, while "because of whether" suggests that uncertainty is the reason something happened. "Based on whether" is usually the more appropriate choice.