it is unsure whether

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is unsure whether" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression would be "it is uncertain whether." Example: "It is uncertain whether the event will take place due to the weather conditions."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Yet given the sullen, restless mood in Tehran, it is unsure whether such tactics will prevent an embarrassing public-relations flop.

The Economist

While it will end this current financial year with balanced books, it is unsure whether it can do so again in 2001-02, and still meet the performance targets.

The Guardian

For the moment, Via Sport is the only event that has been impacted, and it is unsure whether it will spread to other street events and festivals, but there is a feeling that actions in recent weeks show a lack of policy.

The Guardian

It is unsure whether he or other transhumant shepherds comply with the 600-head limit.

Pastoralism

It is unsure whether council workers will ever be able to return to the offices.

BBC

It is unsure whether this is confirmation of a BT chip as a tap on the icon brings up the words "nothing to see here".

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

The US dollar-to-bitcoin dollar-to-bitcoin dollar-to-bitcoining wildly – and with the currency being used online forateishtly nefarious means, ie buying currentlyrugs, it's unsure whether this virtual reality cash will retain its legality.

Independent

(0630 GMT) on Thursday, but said it was unsure whether the strikes had killed Gaddafi.

Princeton University

Shortly after Golden Pacific failed in June 1985, the F.D.I.C. said it was unsure whether the certificates were insured deposits, citing irregularities with the certificates.

The New York Times

Panasonic sold 20,000 such units between April and September, but said it was unsure whether that pace could be sustained without the subsidy.

The New York Times

A representative of the European Central Bank told the meeting it was unsure whether Greek banks would have the funds to be able to open on Monday.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for more formal and widely accepted alternatives like "it is uncertain whether" or "it is unclear whether" to maintain a professional tone in your writing.

Common error

While "it is unsure whether" might seem natural, it is often flagged as non-standard. To avoid this, restructure the sentence or use a more accepted alternative to ensure clarity and correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is unsure whether" functions as an introductory clause expressing uncertainty or doubt about a subsequent statement or event. It prefaces a question or condition that cannot be definitively answered or predicted.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "it is unsure whether" is relatively common, appearing in various contexts from news to scientific publications, Ludwig AI highlights that it isn't considered standard English. Preferable alternatives such as "it is uncertain whether" or "it is unclear whether" offer greater grammatical precision and formality. When expressing uncertainty, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey and choose the most appropriate phrasing to maintain clarity and professionalism in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is uncertain whether

Replaces "unsure" with the more standard "uncertain", offering a grammatically preferred alternative.

it is unclear whether

Uses "unclear" to convey the lack of certainty, focusing on a lack of clarity.

it is not known whether

Emphasizes that the information is genuinely unknown, rather than just a feeling of uncertainty.

it is doubtful whether

Highlights the presence of doubt regarding the situation.

it remains to be seen whether

Suggests the outcome will be revealed in the future, emphasizing the passage of time.

it is questionable whether

Indicates there are reasons to question the likely outcome or truth of something.

it is dubious whether

Implies a stronger sense of doubt and potential dishonesty or unreliability.

it is unpredictable whether

Focuses on the inability to predict the outcome, suggesting inherent randomness or complexity.

the outcome is uncertain

Rephrases the sentence to focus on the uncertainty of the outcome itself.

there is uncertainty about whether

Shifts the focus to the presence of uncertainty surrounding a particular event.

FAQs

What is a better way to say "it is unsure whether"?

More standard alternatives include "it is uncertain whether", "it is unclear whether", or "it is not known whether". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it is unsure whether" grammatically correct?

While sometimes used, "it is unsure whether" is generally considered less formal and may be viewed as grammatically incorrect by some. It's safer to use alternatives like "it is uncertain whether".

What does "it is unsure whether" mean?

The phrase "it is unsure whether" means that something is uncertain or doubtful. There is a lack of clarity or knowledge about a particular outcome or situation.

Can I use "it is unsure whether" in formal writing?

It's best to avoid "it is unsure whether" in formal writing. Opt for more precise and widely accepted phrases such as "it is uncertain whether" or "it is doubtful whether" to maintain a professional tone.