distinguishes whether

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "distinguishes whether" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the ability to differentiate or determine between two or more options or conditions. Example: "The study distinguishes whether the treatment is effective or not based on the results."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Or if you mention bridesmaids, the platform distinguishes whether you're referring to the movie or an actual wedding.

TechCrunch

Regarding the definition of vulnerability, the ontology distinguishes whether vulnerability is defined explicitly or implicitly in a vulnerability assessment.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

Second, based on Zaliapin and Ben-Zion (2013), we defined a threshold, (eta_{0}), that distinguishes whether two events are strongly or weakly linked.

Earth, Planets and Space

Therefore, we propose an identification scheme that distinguishes whether the test image is a screenshot or not without the SVM classifier support.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

The resulting indicator distinguishes whether a respondent has the following status: (1) native-born and native language (reference category), (2) native-born and foreign language, (3) foreign-born and native language and (4) foreign-born and foreign language.

Large-scale Assessments in Education

From this analysis and our numerical simulations, we can extract a key factor that distinguishes whether a rhythm generated by an input set is likely to be a pocket rhythm or a rostral rhythm.

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"The brain doesn't distinguish whether it's being hit by a professional or an amateur.

The Guardian

Consumers, unlike retailers, don't distinguish whether they buy something online or in a store, as long as the price is right.

The Guardian - Money

It was hard to focus on the letters on street signs or distinguish whether a person was walking toward or away from me...

The New Yorker

Rooney is on the verge of a scoring feat that will help to distinguish whether he is remembered as a football great or merely a great footballer.

The Guardian - Sport

An experiment measuring how one observation affects a later one should distinguish whether quantum mechanics or a macrorealistic theory rules the everyday world.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "distinguishes whether" to highlight a specific criterion or method used to differentiate between two possibilities. Ensure the context clearly defines the basis for this distinction.

Common error

Avoid using "distinguishes whether" in situations where a simpler phrasing like "determines if" would suffice. Overusing complex phrasing can make your writing sound unnecessarily convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "distinguishes whether" functions as a connector introducing a clause that specifies a condition or criterion for differentiation. It indicates the ability to discern between two or more possibilities based on a defined factor. According to Ludwig, this usage is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "distinguishes whether" is a grammatically correct and useful construction for indicating a process of differentiation or identification between two or more options. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and appropriateness for use in formal and scientific writing. While not overly common, it serves a specific purpose in contexts where clear distinction is necessary. It is most frequently found in science and news & media sources, reflecting its role in analytical and explanatory writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

determines if

Replaces "distinguishes whether" with a more direct and simpler phrasing.

differentiates if

Emphasizes the act of differentiation, similar to "distinguishes whether".

identifies whether

Focuses on the act of identification, implying a clear distinction.

ascertains if

Presents a more formal alternative, highlighting the process of finding something out for certain.

determines whether or not

Adds emphasis to the binary nature of the distinction.

can tell if

Offers a more informal and conversational alternative.

makes a distinction between

Shifts the focus to the act of creating a separation.

separates if

Highlights the act of separation, suggesting a clear boundary.

discerns if

Focuses on perceptive differentiation, implying a subtle distinction.

clarifies if

Highlights the act of making something clear, implying a resolution of uncertainty.

FAQs

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

Use "distinguishes whether" when you want to emphasize the process of identifying a specific difference between two options or conditions. For example, "The study "distinguishes whether" the treatment is effective or not based on the results."

What are some alternatives to "distinguishes whether"?

Alternatives include "determines if", "differentiates if", or "identifies whether", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to use "distinguishes whether" than "determines if"?

"Distinguishes whether" is generally more formal and emphasizes a careful or methodical differentiation, while ""determines if"" is more straightforward and direct.

In what context is "distinguishes whether" most appropriate?

"Distinguishes whether" is particularly suitable in academic, scientific, or technical writing where precise and detailed differentiation is required. It is less common in informal or conversational contexts.