concerning whether

USAGE SUMMARY

"concerning whether" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to introduce a question or topic that is being discussed or considered. Here is an example: "I have been feeling conflicted concerning whether to accept the job offer. On one hand, it's a great opportunity for career advancement, but on the other hand, I am hesitant to move to a new city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The decision concerning whether he would play could be put off until a few hours before the game.

The New York Times - Sports

Crucial to the case was evidence concerning whether the police's shoot-to-kill command - a codeword, Kratos - was ever given.

The Guardian

There is still some disagreement concerning whether consonantal places of articulation are specified appropriately by binary oppositions of this kind.

Encyclopedia Britannica

LAST week, a Twitter conversation broke out among a few economists concerning whether any serious economists opposed a carbon tax.

The Economist

The text above is from Footnote 442, concerning whether actionable intelligence was obtained from Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (KSM), the alleged facilitator of the 9/11 attacks.

The Guardian - Opinion

The case before the court arose from a second round of litigation concerning whether the law transferring the land under the cross violated the original order.

The New York Times

Beyond Enron, Mr. Bush's advisers said, the president was reluctant to speak out because White House officials were split concerning whether the bill would truly hurt Republicans.

The New York Times

There was no indication of how the jury had decided on the charges of wrongful termination, concerning whether the Garden and Dolan had acted in retaliation.

The New York Times - Sports

It also suggested that Congress change the law to give the S.E.C. greater power to set rules concerning whether mutual fund directors can be viewed as independent.

The New York Times

However, experimental evidence concerning whether autophagy is required for replication of coronaviruses has been contradictory.

Protein & Cell

In chapter six, "Evolution and Race," Stamos considers various arguments concerning whether human races are real.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "concerning whether", ensure that the sentence clearly presents the options or alternatives being considered. For instance, instead of saying "There is doubt concerning whether", specify what the doubt pertains to: "There is doubt concerning whether the project will be completed on time or if additional resources are needed."

Common error

Avoid using "concerning whether" immediately after phrases like "the question of". It's often redundant to say "the question of concerning whether". Instead, streamline your sentence by using either "the question of whether" or rephrasing it to use "concerning whether" directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "concerning whether" functions as a connector introducing a question or topic of consideration. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and usable in written English. It typically introduces an indirect question expressing doubt, uncertainty, or inquiry.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "concerning whether" is a grammatically correct and frequently used connector that introduces a question or topic under consideration. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely applicable in various contexts, most commonly in scientific and news-related content. While alternatives such as "regarding whether" or "as to whether" exist, "concerning whether" provides a clear and effective way to highlight an issue requiring evaluation. To maximize clarity, specify the alternatives being considered and avoid redundancy with phrases like "the question of". The phrase is suitable for neutral to formal contexts, providing a versatile tool for expressing uncertainty or inquiry.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regarding whether

Offers a direct synonym, replacing "concerning" with "regarding" for a slightly more concise phrasing.

about whether

Simplifies the phrasing by using "about" instead of "concerning", making it slightly less formal.

as to whether

Replaces "concerning" with "as to", providing a more formal alternative.

in relation to whether

Expands the phrase to specify a relational aspect of the query, adding emphasis on the connection.

with respect to whether

Offers a more formal and cautious tone, emphasizing respect for the topic being questioned.

on the subject of whether

Specifies the topic, adding more context to the questioning.

in connection with whether

Highlights the association, suggesting the topic being questioned is linked to something else.

the question of whether

Emphasizes that the focus is on the question itself, rather than the surrounding context.

inquiring whether

Replaces the entire phrase with a single verb, presenting a more concise and direct alternative.

considering if

Simplifies the phrase by using "if" instead of "whether" and replacing "concerning" with "considering", changing the construction to express it as contemplation

FAQs

How can I use "concerning whether" in a sentence?

You can use "concerning whether" to introduce a question or topic under consideration. For example: "The debate continues concerning whether stricter regulations are needed." It's used to express uncertainty or inquiry about a particular situation or decision.

What's a more formal alternative to "concerning whether"?

A more formal alternative to "concerning whether" is "as to whether". This phrasing is often preferred in legal or academic writing where a higher degree of formality is expected.

Is it always necessary to include "or not" after using "concerning whether"?

While it is common to include "or not" after "concerning whether", it is not always necessary. The inclusion depends on whether the context makes the alternative clear. For instance, in "The committee discussed concerning whether to approve the proposal", the alternative is clearly not approving it, so "or not" can be omitted.

Can I use "regarding whether" instead of "concerning whether"?

Yes, "regarding whether" is a suitable and often interchangeable alternative to "concerning whether". Both phrases serve to introduce a question or topic being considered. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference.