it turns on whether

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it turns on whether" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a situation or decision that depends on a specific condition or factor. Example: "The outcome of the project really turns on whether we receive the necessary funding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It turns on whether the dopey actor can coax the quiet musician out of his shell (not much) and if the quiet musician can connect with his high school crush (I'll say no more, as that's the only suspense).

The New York Times

It turns on whether you think of this piece as a hymn to the end of all things, or instead, as an ultimately affirmative love-song to life and to mortality.

The Guardian - Music

"It turns on whether the situation presents a life-threatening or health-threatening emergency," said Zachary W. Carter, the former United States attorney for the Eastern District of New York.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Instead, it turned on whether the GAA should be helping out rivals in the keenly competitive modern sporting world.

Independent

Nor does it turn on whether the prosecutors in Milan can prove that Berlusconi bribed her husband to lie.

The Guardian

"The question is how you overcome it," he said, adding that their anxiety turned on "whether we'd be disadvantaged by the Soviets".

The New York Times

Given the standard of the dance, it turns on that quibble whether this show gets five stars or four.

The Guardian

None of this is a given, obviously; again, it all turns on whether the law works.

The Washington Post

Whether or not a Form is existentially separate, i.e., whether it exists separate from everything else, turns on whether one thinks that being an essence qualifies the Form as existing.

SEP

Hardly a sign of reckless unsustainability.So a lot turns on whether it is right to include the energy footprint in the aggregate measure and on whether it is right to estimate this as the forest area required to absorb CO2.

The Economist

It is a serious case that turns on whether Wilpon and Katz willfully turned a blind eye from indications that Madoff was up to no good.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it turns on whether" to introduce a critical condition or question that determines the outcome of a situation. This phrase is particularly effective in analytical writing where you need to highlight key dependencies.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "it turns on whether" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "it depends on whether" or "it boils down to" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it turns on whether" functions as a connector, linking a situation or outcome to a specific condition or factor. As noted by Ludwig AI, it indicates that the result is dependent on whether this condition is met. The examples highlight its use in news, academic, and scientific contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it turns on whether" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that an outcome is conditional upon a specific factor. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, with examples from News & Media, Academia and Science domains. While versatile, this phrase is best suited for neutral to formal contexts, as it can come across as overly formal in casual conversation. The related phrases and guidance provided offer alternatives and best practices for incorporating this phrase effectively into your writing. In a nutshell, the expression highlights how the final result depends on something else.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it hinges on whether

Replaces "turns" with "hinges", emphasizing the critical importance of the determining factor.

it depends on whether

A more common and direct way of expressing conditional dependence.

it is contingent on whether

Replaces "turns" with a more formal "is contingent", suitable for academic or legal contexts.

the key question is whether

Shifts focus to the central question that needs to be resolved.

the crucial factor is whether

Emphasizes the significance of the determining factor.

the deciding factor is whether

Highlights the element that will ultimately determine the outcome.

everything rests on whether

Implies that the outcome is entirely dependent on a single condition.

it boils down to whether

Suggests that the issue can be simplified to a fundamental question.

the matter rests on whether

Similar to 'hinges on,' but with a slightly more formal tone.

success relies on whether

Specifically frames the outcome in terms of success, dependent on a certain condition.

FAQs

What does "it turns on whether" mean?

The phrase "it turns on whether" means that the outcome or result of a situation depends on a specific condition or factor being true or fulfilled. It's used to highlight a critical dependency.

How can I use "it turns on whether" in a sentence?

You can use "it turns on whether" to introduce the key condition affecting a situation. For example, "The success of the project "it turns on whether" we receive the necessary funding."

What are some alternatives to "it turns on whether"?

Alternatives to "it turns on whether" include "it hinges on whether", "it depends on whether", or "it is contingent on whether". The best choice depends on the specific context and level of formality.

Is "it turns on whether" formal or informal?

"It turns on whether" is generally considered more formal. In informal contexts, phrases like "it depends on whether" or "it boils down to whether" may be more appropriate.