depending on whether

USAGE SUMMARY

"depending on whether" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is contingent on a particular condition being met. Example: We will decide which school to send our children to depending on whether they offer the classes we want.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Opinion here is divided, depending on whether one's subway ride will be longer or shorter.

The New Yorker

In other words, depending on whether one accounts for this issue, the difference can be substantial.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

The tap weight coefficients depending on whether the transmitted bit is zero or one.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Workouts vary, depending on whether you want a leaner body or a stronger one, for example.

The New York Times - Tech

Or maybe not, depending on whether his pre-booked accessible taxi turned up.

The Guardian - Opinion

The figure could also increase depending on whether Altidore is subsequently sold by Villarreal.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

"It will depend on whether they improve".

The Guardian

The ultimate outcome will depend on whether there is activism.

The New York Times

Further measurements will depend on whether there is any concern.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But that will depend on whether unconventional jeans will sell.

The New York Times

Russia's future may depend on whether they do.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "depending on whether" to introduce alternative outcomes based on different conditions. Ensure clarity by explicitly stating both conditions and their corresponding results.

Common error

Avoid omitting "on" from the phrase. Saying "depending whether" is grammatically incorrect; always use "depending on whether".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "depending on whether" functions as a conditional conjunction, introducing a clause that specifies a condition affecting the outcome of the main clause. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature. For example, 'The figure could also increase depending on whether Altidore is subsequently sold by Villarreal.'

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

45%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "depending on whether" is a versatile conjunction phrase used to introduce conditional clauses, indicating that an outcome is contingent on a particular situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's commonly found in both formal and informal contexts, with a strong presence in news, media, and scientific writing. To ensure clarity, it's best practice to explicitly state all conditions and their results while avoiding the incorrect omission of "on". Alternatives such as "contingent upon whether" can be used to add formality or vary expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contingent upon whether

More formal alternative, highlighting the dependence of one thing on another condition.

hinges on whether

Emphasizes that something critically depends on a specific condition.

subject to whether

Indicates that something is conditional and may change based on circumstances.

predicated on whether

Formal and emphasizes that something is founded or based on a condition.

conditional on whether

Emphasizes the conditional nature of the relationship.

conditioned by whether

Formal and emphasizes that something is brought about or influenced by a condition.

based on if

Simpler and less formal alternative using 'if' instead of 'whether'.

depending if

Shorter and more colloquial, replacing 'on whether' with 'if'.

reliant on if

Emphasizes reliance on a condition being met, replacing 'on whether' with 'if'.

if and only if

More restrictive condition, indicating a necessary and sufficient condition.

FAQs

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

Use "depending on whether" to show that an outcome is conditional. For example, "The success of the project depends on whether we secure additional funding."

What are some alternatives to using "depending on whether"?

You can use alternatives such as "contingent upon whether", "subject to whether", or "conditional on whether" to express similar conditional relationships.

Is it correct to say "depending if" instead of "depending on whether"?

While "depending if" is sometimes used colloquially, it's generally considered less formal and grammatically less precise than "depending on whether". It is advisable to use "depending on whether" in formal writing.

What’s the difference between "depending on whether" and "conditional on"?

"Depending on whether" introduces a binary condition with explicit alternatives, while "conditional on" implies a more general dependence on a condition being met, without necessarily specifying alternative outcomes.