by asking whether the

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by asking whether the" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when introducing a question or inquiry about a specific topic or situation. Example: "The researcher approached the problem by asking whether the current methods were effective in achieving the desired results."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The essay ends by asking whether the horse can assimilate itself in the space age.

The New Yorker

Foreign Policy magazine blogger Joshua E Keating added to Spain's sense of humiliation by asking whether the king had deliberately sought the least politically correct holiday.

The Guardian

Wood, who had held an initial hearing on the motion last Friday, began by asking whether the lawyers knew how many documents the government had taken.

The New Yorker

One night, while eating in a smart Beijing restaurant, I teased my host by asking whether the other diners were party officials.

The Guardian

But he could start by asking whether the BBC, or any other non-specialist sports channel, even wants to be burdened with the Ashes?

The Guardian - Sport

I begin by asking whether the 2008 presidential race is throwing up memories for him, and I'm taken aback by the alacrity with which he responds.

The Guardian

From February 8th until February 18th, special guests on our online debate site will close the festival by asking whether the rise of the global elite threatens or serves the interests of ordinary people.

The Economist

However, others who hear how the contest turned out may wonder whether the winner will react — to paraphrase the old joke about dubious victories — by asking whether the second prize was $2 million worth of full-page newspaper ad space.

The New York Times

The chancellor, George Osborne, has taken the calculated risk of wading into the debate over the child killer Mick Philpott by asking whether the welfare state may have contributed to his lifestyle by being too generous.

The Guardian

The Cardinals may be their next opponent, but it was no accident that Tomlin began his postgame news conference by asking whether the Ravens had kicked a last-minute field goal to win the game.

The New York Times

We are coming back!" At G.M., Obama was so confident that he test-crawled a new electric Chevy Volt about ten feet, as Robert Gibbs exhibited press-secretary humor by asking whether the car had an airbag.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by asking whether the" to introduce a question that guides an investigation or analysis. This phrasing clearly indicates that an inquiry is being made to determine a specific condition or outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "by asking whether the" in situations where a direct question is more appropriate. Overusing this phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex. Instead of writing, "The doctor started by asking whether the patient had any allergies", simply write, "The doctor started by asking, 'Do you have any allergies?'"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by asking whether the" functions as an introductory element that signals the start of an inquiry or investigation. It sets the stage for a question that needs to be answered. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is common across a variety of sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

38%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "by asking whether the" is a versatile introductory phrase used to signal an inquiry or investigation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used across various domains, particularly in scientific and news contexts. While its usage is generally straightforward, it's important to use it appropriately, avoiding overuse in simple scenarios where a direct question would suffice. Alternatives such as "by inquiring whether the" or "by questioning whether the" can provide a more formal tone, depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by inquiring whether the

Replaces "asking" with a more formal synonym, "inquiring".

by questioning whether the

Substitutes "asking" with "questioning", emphasizing a more critical or doubtful approach.

by determining if the

Focuses on the outcome of the inquiry, aiming to "determine" a specific condition.

by investigating whether the

Replaces "asking" with "investigating", suggesting a more thorough and systematic examination.

by examining whether the

Emphasizes a careful and detailed inspection to ascertain the truth.

by exploring whether the

Suggests a broader, less focused inquiry aimed at discovering possibilities.

by considering whether the

Implies a thoughtful evaluation of different aspects or viewpoints.

by checking to see if the

Uses a more informal tone, implying a simple verification process.

by verifying whether the

Emphasizes the act of confirming the truth or accuracy of something.

by assessing whether the

Implies an evaluation of the significance or importance.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "by asking whether the" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can substitute "by asking whether the" with alternatives such as "by inquiring whether the" or "by questioning whether the".

When is it appropriate to use "by asking whether the" in academic writing?

It's appropriate to use "by asking whether the" in academic writing when introducing a research question or hypothesis. For example, "The study began by asking whether the new treatment was more effective than the standard treatment".

What is a simpler way to express "by asking whether the" in casual conversation?

In casual conversation, you can simplify "by asking whether the" to phrases like "by checking if the" or even just directly asking the question.

Is there a difference in meaning between "by asking whether the" and "by determining whether the"?

Yes, while similar, "by asking whether the" implies an inquiry, whereas "by determining whether the" suggests a more conclusive effort to ascertain a fact or outcome.