only checking whether

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only checking whether" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that you are verifying or confirming a specific condition or situation. Example: "I am only checking whether the report has been submitted on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The Sky chaps don't seem to think there's any controversy, however, and that the third umpire was only checking whether the ball carried.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The error verification only checks whether the output of a filter, implemented with reduced-word-length fixed-point representation, is within certain bounds, when compared to a double-precision reference output.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

Eggs were not counted; we only checked whether or not a female laid.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

When performing the cross-referencing, we only check whether there is a SNP at the same locus, regardless the alleles.

BMC Genomics

They also argued that the PAS should only check whether physicians meet the criteria or not, rather than ranking them.

BMC Health Services Research

Most importantly, far too many researchers do not utilize the rich information provided by CIs, but typically only check whether the 95% CIs contain the null value, i.e., to see whether the results are statistically significant or not [ 2, 3].

European Journal of Epidemiology

The 100% sensitivity allows the health care provider to only check the red-labelled ECGs to see whether the MyDiagnostick correctly identified AF.

Europace

We will only check if the first letter is 'Y' to determine whether the user wants to play again.

WikiHow

Only check Cydia, not Icy.

WikiHow

I don't know about you, but I'm thinking of turning this month's column into a musical, if only to check whether the musical as we knew it in the 20th century as an entertainment that tells bold, moving stories with song still has - so to speak - legs.

The Guardian

The guidelines should be used only to check whether all essential items are adequately reported.

European Journal of Human Genetics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only checking whether" to clearly indicate that your focus is limited to verifying a specific condition or piece of information. This helps to set expectations and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "only checking whether" in overly complex sentences where it might make the sentence convoluted. Simplify the sentence or use a more direct phrase for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only checking whether" functions as a conjunction phrase. It introduces a dependent clause that specifies a condition or situation being verified. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. The phrase often sets the scope or limitation of an action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

32%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "only checking whether" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to emphasize the act of verifying a specific condition or piece of information. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in science and news contexts, it serves to clarify intent and limit the scope of an action. When writing, ensure clarity by avoiding overuse in complex sentences and consider alternative phrases like "merely verifying if" or "just confirming whether" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

merely verifying if

Emphasizes the simplicity and limited scope of the verification process.

just confirming whether

Highlights the act of confirming a piece of information or a condition.

simply ascertaining if

Focuses on finding out something with certainty, but in a straightforward manner.

solely verifying that

Stresses that the verification is the only action being taken.

just seeing if

An informal way of expressing the act of checking a condition.

merely looking to see if

Adds a layer of observation to the act of checking.

only seeking to confirm if

Highlights the intention behind the checking process, which is confirmation.

simply determining whether

Focuses on the act of making a decision or conclusion about something.

exclusively checking to see if

Emphasizes that no other action is being taken besides checking.

only verifying to ascertain

Highlights both verification and confirmation with a slightly more formal tone.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "only checking whether" for variety?

You can use alternatives like "merely verifying if", "just confirming whether", or "simply ascertaining if" to add variety to your writing.

Is it always necessary to include "only" before "checking whether"?

No, including "only" is not always necessary. The word "only" emphasizes that you are solely focused on the act of checking. Without "only", the sentence remains grammatically correct but loses that specific emphasis. For example, "checking whether" is also correct.

What's the difference between "only checking whether" and "just checking whether"?

The phrases "only checking whether" and "just checking whether" are very similar. "Only" emphasizes exclusivity, while "just" indicates that the action is simple or brief. The choice between them depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what contexts is "only checking whether" most appropriate?

"Only checking whether" is appropriate in contexts where you want to emphasize that your action is limited to verifying something and nothing more. This is useful in clarifying your intent or setting expectations.