depend on whether or not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "depend on whether or not" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation or outcome that is contingent upon a specific condition being met or not met. Example: "The success of the project will depend on whether or not we receive the necessary funding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Millions of lives depend on whether or not the world steps up now".

The Guardian

Whether it will get published "may depend on whether or not Reagan is re'lected," the man said, referring to the war that Nicaragua is fighting against an invading force of C.I.A.-backed counter-revolutionaries.

The New Yorker

The two major strategies for labeling nuclides onto nanostructures depend on whether or not chelating agents are used.

Nano Convergence

Second, we analyze if these effects depend on whether or not an economy has already implemented a systemic change from a DB to a DC system.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

These both depend on whether or not you can sell a product that customers like.

Huffington Post

Solutions depend on whether or not democracies are informed by compassionate citizens who understand how scientists develop, test and revise models of how the natural world works and how engineers design and improve solutions to human problems.

Huffington Post

The actions and decisions of community groups, however, depend on whether or not they are authorized (or allowed) by constitutional governance processes (McGinnis 2011 ).

Health Policy and Planning

However, these factors depend on whether or not α- and β-oxidation metabolites were present, which depends on myocardial carbohydrate metabolism.

BioMed Research International

The clinical implications of an uninformative result depend on whether or not a woman has a relevant family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer.

Breast Cancer Research

But there are, in effect, two spousal benefit formulas and which one you -- the person who will collect a spousal benefit -- faces will depend on whether or not you take your retirement benefit early.

Forbes

They should not depend on whether or not the graphics window has been displayed or not.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "depend on whether or not", ensure that the condition being introduced is clearly defined and directly influences the outcome being discussed.

Common error

Avoid stacking multiple conditional clauses within a single sentence using "depend on whether or not". Break down complex ideas into simpler sentences for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "depend on whether or not" functions as a conditional connector, introducing a clause that specifies a condition upon which the outcome of the main clause relies. It signifies that the result is not certain and is subject to the fulfillment or non-fulfillment of the stated condition. Ludwig confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "depend on whether or not" serves as a conditional connector, expressing that an outcome is contingent upon a specific condition. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, especially in News & Media and Scientific domains. While alternatives like "hinge on whether or not" exist, "depend on whether or not" remains a clear and reliable choice for expressing conditionality in both formal and informal writing. Remember to keep sentences clear and avoid overcomplicating structures when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hinge on whether or not

Replaces "depend" with "hinge", emphasizing the critical importance of the condition.

be contingent on whether or not

Replaces "depend" with "be contingent", highlighting the conditional nature of the situation.

rest on whether or not

Substitutes "depend" with "rest", suggesting that the outcome is based on the condition.

be subject to whether or not

Replaces "depend" with "be subject to", indicating that the outcome is controlled by the condition.

rely on whether or not

Uses "rely on" instead of "depend on", conveying a sense of reliance on the condition.

be determined by whether or not

Emphasizes that the outcome is specifically determined by the condition.

turn on whether or not

Uses "turn on" to indicate that the outcome pivots on the condition.

be conditional on whether or not

Explicitly states that the outcome is conditional upon the specified factor.

be a function of whether or not

Indicates that the outcome is mathematically related to the presence or absence of the specified factor.

is a question of whether or not

Shifts the focus to the uncertainty inherent in the condition.

FAQs

How can I use "depend on whether or not" in a sentence?

Use "depend on whether or not" to indicate that an outcome is contingent upon a specific condition. For example, "The project's success will "depend on whether or not" we secure sufficient funding."

What are some alternatives to "depend on whether or not"?

You can use alternatives such as "hinge on whether or not", "be contingent on whether or not", or "rest on whether or not" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "depend on whether or not"?

Yes, "depend on whether or not" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both formal and informal writing to express conditionality.

What is the difference between "depend on whether or not" and "depend on if"?

"Depend on whether or not" is more formal and explicit, while "depend on if" is a slightly more concise but less formal way of expressing the same idea. While "depend on if" is common in spoken English, ""depend on whether or not"" is generally preferred in formal writing.