it is open to question whether

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is open to question whether" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing uncertainty or doubt about a particular statement or situation. Example: "It is open to question whether the new policy will actually improve employee productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

It is open to question whether the cars will return to Las Vegas.

The New York Times - Sports

It is open to question whether Italy is in an economic position to assume the responsibility of trusteeship and whether the return of the colonies to Italy as trustee takes sufficiently into account the wishes of the inhabitants.

Yale University

But it is open to question whether it works as well in the aftermath of an economic crisis which has created, albeit for the best of reasons, a massive deficit.

Independent

It is open to question whether there is an actual difference between a short play and a skit, but it is certain that writers of short plays today approach the genre very much in this context.

The New York Times

This mantra might have been enough for hippies in the 60s, but it is open to question whether it is an adequate underpinning for a mainstream, publicly funded organisation with hundreds of staff and a multimillion-pound budget in 2015.

The Guardian

Equally, while additional steps could be taken to educate retail investors on their information and voting rights, it is open to question whether individuals are likely to engage with the companies in which they have invested to a sufficient extent to allow them to constitute a significant voting bloc.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Whether it will work is open to question.

BBC

Whether any copyright was breached is open to question.

Independent

Whether Boyle will go global is open to question.

Independent

But whether Mr. Refn can recover is open to question.

The New York Times

But whether pain is being felt is open to question.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is open to question whether" to introduce a point where further investigation or evidence is required before a conclusion can be reached.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "it is open to question whether" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "I'm not sure if" or "it's debatable" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is open to question whether" functions as an introductory clause expressing uncertainty or doubt. It sets the stage for presenting a point that requires further consideration or lacks a definitive answer. Ludwig AI affirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is open to question whether" is a versatile phrase used to introduce uncertainty or doubt. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific domains. While predominantly neutral to formal in register, consider context appropriateness. Alternatives such as "it is debatable whether" or "it remains to be seen whether" offer nuanced substitutions. Be mindful of overuse in informal conversation. Overall, this phrase serves as an effective tool for initiating critical inquiry and acknowledging the absence of definitive answers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It is debatable whether

Replaces "open to question" with "debatable", suggesting a topic suitable for argument.

It is uncertain whether

Uses "uncertain" to convey a lack of sureness or predictability.

It remains to be seen whether

Emphasizes the passage of time needed to resolve the uncertainty.

The matter is open to doubt

Shifts the focus to the doubt surrounding the matter.

It is doubtful whether

Uses "doubtful" to suggest a stronger level of skepticism.

It is questionable whether

Emphasizes the legitimacy or validity being challenged.

The possibility is in doubt

Highlights the uncertainty of a particular outcome.

One may wonder whether

Introduces a sense of personal speculation or curiosity.

It's hard to say if

Uses a more informal tone to express uncertainty.

It's not clear if

Uses a more direct and simple way to express uncertainty.

FAQs

How can I use "it is open to question whether" in a sentence?

Use "it is open to question whether" to introduce uncertainty or doubt about a particular issue. For example, "It is open to question whether the new policy will actually improve employee productivity."

What can I say instead of "it is open to question whether"?

You can use alternatives like "it is debatable whether", "it is uncertain whether", or "it remains to be seen whether depending on the context.

Is "it is open to question whether" formal or informal?

"It is open to question whether" tends to be more formal. In informal situations, consider using phrases like "I'm not sure if" or "it's debatable".

What's the difference between "it is open to question whether" and "it is doubtful whether"?

"It is open to question whether" suggests a neutral inquiry, while "it is doubtful whether" implies a stronger sense of skepticism or disbelief.