depending whether

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "depending on whether" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a conditional clause or to show that two actions or events are dependent on each other. Example: I will go for a walk later, depending on whether it rains or not. In this sentence, "depending on whether it rains or not" indicates that the speaker's decision to go for a walk is dependent on whether it will rain or not. It can also be used to show a cause and effect relationship, where one action is dependent on the other. Example: The project's success will be determined depending on whether the team meets their deadlines or not. In this sentence, "depending on whether the team meets their deadlines or not" indicates that the success of the project is dependent on the team meeting their deadlines. In summary, you can use the phrase "depending on whether" to express dependence or contingency between two actions or events.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The FDR is either open or closed depending whether that part is flooded," he said.

The Guardian

Nevertheless, significant differences are found depending whether the capillary was filled or not.

Electrochimica Acta

Two different regimes are then observed depending whether Xhm exceeds or not 20 vol.%.

Surface and Coatings Technology

A. Well I may decide to let you have that follow-up or not depending whether I like my answer.

The New York Times

The patterns of the changes in the array differed depending whether the subjects had lung cancer or not.

The New York Times - Science

This hat can be made in different sizes, depending whether you want it tight-fitting or long and baggy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In conclusion, autoantibodies against CAII recognized different epitopes, depending whether they originated in patients with or without cancer.

Experimental Eye Research

The one-dimensional beam analysis could be geometrically nonlinear or linear depending whether the original three-dimensional analysis is geometrically nonlinear or linear.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

By then it will have overtaken France as Europe's second or third largest country, depending whether Russia is classed to be in Europe or partly in Asia.

The Guardian

In such rare instances, we choose which taxonomy to follow, depending whether the affected species are primarily North or South American.

Cornell University

This is defined by means of half- and/or full-range Hermite polynomials depending whether or not the distribution function presents a discontinuity in the velocity space.

Journal of Computational Physics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "depending whether", ensure that the sentence clearly outlines the conditions and the corresponding outcomes. This maintains clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "depending whether" in sentences where the conditions are vague or implied. Always explicitly state the conditions to prevent misinterpretation and ensure the sentence's meaning is clear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "depending whether" functions as a conditional connector, linking two clauses where the outcome of one depends on the condition stated in the other. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in various contexts, indicating a relationship of contingency.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

26%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "depending whether" is a grammatically correct and frequently used conditional connector. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to express that an outcome or situation is contingent upon a specific condition. Its versatility allows for usage across various registers, from scientific writing to news reporting, although it is most prevalent in scientific and news contexts. While alternative phrases like "contingent on whether" exist, "depending whether" remains a straightforward and widely accepted choice for expressing conditionality. When using this phrase, clarity is key; ensure the conditions are explicitly stated to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contingent on whether

Replaces "depending" with "contingent", emphasizing conditionality.

subject to whether

Uses "subject to" to indicate that something is conditional upon a specific circumstance.

conditional upon whether

More formal phrasing highlighting conditionality.

based on whether

Emphasizes that something is determined or influenced by a specific condition.

dependent on whether

Directly states that one thing relies on another.

contingent upon if

Slightly alters the structure while maintaining the conditional meaning.

relying on if

Focuses on the reliance of one condition on another.

hinges on if

Implies that the outcome significantly relies on the fulfillment of a certain condition.

predicated on if

A more formal alternative emphasizing the foundational reliance on a condition.

according to if

Indicates that a decision or action is guided by a particular condition.

FAQs

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

Use "depending whether" to show that an outcome varies based on a condition. For instance, "The FDR is either open or closed, "depending whether" that part is flooded."

What alternatives are there to "depending whether"?

You can use alternatives like "contingent on whether", "subject to whether", or "conditional upon whether" depending on the desired level of formality.

Is it grammatically correct to say "depending on whether"?

Yes, both "depending whether" and "depending on whether" are grammatically correct, although "depending on whether" is more common. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness of "depending whether".

What’s the difference between "depending whether" and "if"?

While both introduce conditions, "depending whether" implies a range of possibilities based on a specific condition, while "if" introduces a single condition. Using "depending whether" suggests a more complex conditional relationship.