it was unsure whether

USAGE SUMMARY

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

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

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

"I think everything is in sort of a state of suspension right now," said Peter Hong, a spokesman for Tim Pawlenty, the Republican nominee for governor, noting that the campaign scratched a fund-raiser this weekend with Karl Rove, and that it was unsure whether a debate scheduled for Monday would go on.

The New York Times

The aquarium said it was unsure whether the fish would remain there or be released.

BBC

But the club said it was unsure whether the Italian would be at Elland Road.

BBC

In addition, it was unsure whether the children in the waiting list group could be relocated at follow-up to offer them treatment after the waiting period.

BMC Psychiatry

Frey (9/11) suggested that it was unsure whether a range of varieties would be genetically modified but that it was more likely that the Golden Rice variety would be simply crossed with the local adapted varieties and that, by backcrossing, the unique genes of Golden Rice would be retained while eliminating most of the foreign genome.

FAO

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

It was an enclosed, spiralling piece and, as I approached it, I was unsure whether I was allowed to enter.

The New Yorker

In grade 13, I took three math and three science classes because I knew I wanted to study science at the university level, although I was unsure whether it would be biology or chemistry.

Science Magazine

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

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

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

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer "it was uncertain whether" in formal writing. This phrasing is grammatically correct and widely accepted.

Common error

Avoid using "it was unsure whether" in formal contexts. While understandable, it's not considered standard English. Opt for "it was uncertain whether" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was unsure whether" functions as a clause expressing doubt or uncertainty about a particular situation or outcome. However, Ludwig AI points out that it is not correct in standard written English and a more appropriate expression would be "it was uncertain whether."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "it was unsure whether" is used across various platforms including news outlets, scientific articles, and formal documents, Ludwig AI advises that it's not considered grammatically correct in standard written English. The more appropriate alternative is "it was uncertain whether", conveying doubt in a more formal way. When writing, especially in academic or professional contexts, it's best to use "uncertain" instead of "unsure" to maintain a higher level of correctness and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was uncertain whether

Replaces "unsure" with "uncertain", providing a grammatically standard alternative.

it was unclear whether

Substitutes "unsure" with "unclear", indicating a lack of clarity rather than a state of doubt.

it was doubtful whether

Replaces "unsure" with "doubtful", emphasizing skepticism about a particular outcome.

it was questionable whether

Uses "questionable" instead of "unsure", suggesting that the matter is open to debate or doubt.

it remained to be seen whether

Emphasizes that the outcome will only be known in the future.

there was uncertainty whether

Shifts the focus to the presence of uncertainty, rather than a state of being unsure.

the outcome was uncertain

Focuses on the uncertain nature of the result, omitting the explicit subject.

it wasn't clear if

Simplified phrasing using "clear" and "if" instead of "unsure" and "whether".

there was no certainty whether

Highlights the complete absence of certainty regarding the situation.

it could not be determined whether

Indicates that a conclusion or decision was not possible.

FAQs

What is a grammatically correct alternative to "it was unsure whether"?

The grammatically correct alternative is "it was uncertain whether". It replaces the non-standard "unsure" with the correct term "uncertain".

Is "it was unsure whether" considered formal English?

No, "it was unsure whether" is not considered formal English. Use "it was uncertain whether" in formal writing.

What's the difference between "it was unsure whether" and "it was unclear whether"?

While both phrases express a lack of certainty, "it was unclear whether" emphasizes a lack of clarity or understanding, whereas "it was uncertain whether" focuses more on doubt about a specific outcome.

Can I use "it was unsure whether" in academic writing?

It's best to avoid "it was unsure whether" in academic writing. Instead, use "it was uncertain whether" or other more formal alternatives.