hinge on whether

USAGE SUMMARY

"hinge on whether" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a situation which will be determined by a certain factor or set of circumstances. For example: "The success of our project will hinge on whether we can get the necessary funding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Taiwan officials have said wider links between Taiwan and the mainland will hinge on whether Beijing is willing to resume dialogue, frozen since July 1999.

The New York Times

The revenue numbers hinge on whether Chicago is involved.

The New York Times

The election may hinge on whether voters care to remember those years.

The New York Times

A lot may hinge on whether they can determine how the protest took off.

The Guardian

The future of fertility may hinge on whether something can be done to ease the burden.

The New York Times

Game 6 on Thursday in Chicago may hinge on whether Hinrich can play.

The New York Times - Sports

Still, the case is likely to hinge on whether the jury believes his account.

The New York Times

BRONCOS Their draft may hinge on whether receiver Brandon Marshall is traded.

The New York Times

The fate of the deal, analysts say, may well now hinge on whether other family members join in dissent.

The New York Times

Damages in such cases often hinge on whether there was safer equipment available that the employer refused to provide.

The New York Times

The outcome of the election will hinge on whether the 68-year-old Akufo-Addo will accept the results.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hinge on whether" to emphasize the critical importance of a specific condition or factor in determining an outcome. For instance, instead of saying "The project's success depends on funding", you could say "The project's success will "hinge on whether" we can secure adequate funding" to highlight the significance of the funding.

Common error

While "hinge on whether" is a valid and useful phrase, avoid overusing it in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "depends on" or "relies on" to maintain a natural tone. For example, in a casual conversation, saying "Our weekend plans depend on the weather" sounds more natural than "Our weekend plans will "hinge on whether" the weather cooperates".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hinge on whether" functions as a conditional connector, indicating that a particular outcome or result is contingent upon a specific condition being met. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase's grammatical correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hinge on whether" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to indicate that an outcome is contingent upon a specific condition. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It's most commonly found in news and media, formal business contexts, and scientific writing. While the phrase is generally acceptable, it is best to avoid overuse in casual conversation. Alternatives such as "depend on whether" or "rely on whether" may be more suitable for informal contexts. The choice between "hinge on whether" and its alternatives often depends on the desired emphasis and nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depend on whether

Expresses a similar conditional dependence, but with a slightly different verb.

rely on whether

Similar to "depend on", emphasizing reliance on a condition.

rest on whether

Indicates that the outcome is determined by a specific condition.

turn on whether

Suggests that the outcome dramatically changes based on a condition.

be contingent on whether

More formal way of saying "depend on", indicating a conditional relationship.

be subject to whether

Highlights that something is under the influence or control of a condition.

be conditional on whether

Directly states that something is subject to a condition.

be determined by whether

Emphasizes that a specific factor will dictate the outcome.

be predicated on whether

Implies that something is founded or based on a particular condition.

be governed by whether

Indicates that the outcome is ruled or controlled by a condition.

FAQs

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

Use "hinge on whether" to indicate that an outcome or decision is heavily dependent on a particular condition. For example, "The success of the negotiation will "hinge on whether" both parties are willing to compromise".

What are some alternatives to "hinge on whether"?

You can use alternatives such as "depend on whether", "rely on whether", or "rest on whether" depending on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey. You can also replace with alternatives like "depend on whether" or "rely on whether".

Is it better to use "hinge on whether" or "depend on whether"?

"Hinge on whether" and "depend on whether" are often interchangeable, but "hinge on whether" emphasizes a greater degree of dependence or criticality. The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What does it mean for something to "hinge on whether"?

When something "hinges on whether", it means that the outcome or result is highly dependent on a specific condition or circumstance being met. It emphasizes the importance of that condition in determining the final result.