decides whether

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'decides whether' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone making a choice between two (or more) alternatives. For example: "The judge will ultimately decide whether the defendant is guilty or innocent."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Who decides whether a cartoon is funny?

The New Yorker

It decides whether we're approved for a bank loan.

Stanford University

It then decides whether to remain in the Commonwealth.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A homotopy procedure decides whether real, positive solutions exist and, if so, generates the entire list.

Journal of Computational Physics

And who decides whether the experiment works, and when?

The New York Times

That panel decides whether to proceed to a hearing.

The New York Times

America decides whether there will be war or peace.

The New York Times - Magazine

He decides whether who the right people are.

The New York Times

Based on these envelopes, the receiving node decides whether to admit the new flow.

Ad Hoc Networks

It is cost that decides whether a certain project will be feasible or not.

Renewable Energy

At the first step, the method decides whether a bearing fault exists or not.

Expert Systems with Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "decides whether" to clearly indicate a choice or determination between two or more options. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "decide whether or not" can sometimes be redundant. In many cases, "decide whether" already implies the possibility of a negative outcome. Consider whether adding "or not" is necessary for clarity or if it simply adds unnecessary words.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decides whether" functions as a conjunction phrase, linking a verb of decision-making ("decides") with a subordinate clause expressing alternative possibilities. Ludwig AI highlights the phrase's frequent use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

22%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "decides whether" is a versatile and grammatically sound conjunction phrase used to express a conditional choice or determination. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across various fields like science, news, and academia. To enhance your writing, remember to use "decides whether" to clearly present a choice between alternatives, and avoid unnecessary redundancy by omitting "or not" unless emphasis is required. By utilizing the suggested alternatives such as "determines if" or "ascertains whether" you can add variety to your writing while maintaining clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

determines if

Replaces "whether" with "if", which serves the same function in indicating a conditional choice.

chooses if

Uses the verb "chooses" to focus on the selection aspect of the decision.

judges if

Replaces "decides" with "judges", implying an assessment or evaluation is involved.

establishes if

Substitutes "decides" with "establishes" to imply a more definitive finding.

makes a determination if

Adds the phrase "makes a determination" to replace "decides" for a more formal tone.

elects whether

Similar to "chooses", but implies a more deliberate and considered selection.

ascertains whether

Uses "ascertains" instead of "decides" to suggest a process of discovering something with certainty.

resolves whether

Implies bringing a question to a conclusion.

rules whether

Indicates a formal or authoritative decision.

settles if

Indicates a definitive resolution.

FAQs

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

The phrase "decides whether" is used to indicate a choice or determination between two or more options. For example: "The committee "decides whether" to approve the funding.".

What are some alternatives to "decides whether"?

Alternatives include "determines if", "ascertains whether", or "judges if" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "decides whether or not"?

Sometimes. While not grammatically incorrect, "decides whether or not" can often be shortened to just "decides whether" without losing meaning. Use "decides whether or not" only if the "or not" part is crucial for emphasis or clarity.

Who typically "decides whether" something happens?

The entity that ""decides whether"" something happens can vary widely. It could be an individual, a committee, a system, or any entity with the authority to make a choice. The context usually clarifies who is making the decision.