question as to whether

USAGE SUMMARY

"question as to whether" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express doubt or uncertainty about a particular thing, as in the following example: I had a question as to whether I should attend the meeting or not.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's not a question as to whether they were marginal.

The New Yorker

There is some question as to whether samples are being collected from all the bodies found.

The New York Times

"However the question as to whether the photographer owns copyright is more complex.

The Guardian - Tech

Mr. Baghdadi's legendary reputation does raise the question as to whether he actually exists.

The New York Times

"There's a question as to whether No Child is slowing down our progress nationwide".

The New York Times

One was a question as to whether the change would actually be good for employers.

The Guardian

"There is some question as to whether he was seen along the course," Straughan wrote.

The New Yorker

But there is some question as to whether anyone actually will want to publish "Mein Kampf".

The New Yorker

But there was some question as to whether Julie was actually awake during the call.

The New York Times - Arts

"There's always been a question as to whether people who play online are real poker players.

The New York Times

There is even a question as to whether the Yankees' offer still exists, one official said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "question as to whether" to introduce a point of uncertainty or inquiry, ensuring clarity by specifying the subject of the question immediately after 'whether'. For instance, "The question as to whether the project will succeed depends on funding."

Common error

Avoid substituting "whether" with "that" after "question as to". Using "that" changes the meaning from an open question to a statement. Instead of "The question as to that it will rain", use "The question as to whether it will rain."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "question as to whether" functions as an introductory phrase to a clause that expresses doubt or uncertainty. It sets up an inquiry or a point of discussion, as illustrated in Ludwig's examples from news and scientific sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

54%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "question as to whether" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase for introducing uncertainty or inquiry. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It appears most commonly in news and scientific contexts, conveying a neutral to formal tone. When aiming for brevity or varying your expression, consider alternatives like "query regarding whether" or "inquiry about whether". Remember to avoid common errors such as substituting "whether" with "that". By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "question as to whether" in your writing to introduce points of discussion and uncertainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

query regarding whether

Replaces "question" with "query" and "as to" with "regarding", offering a slightly more formal tone.

inquiry about whether

Substitutes "question" with "inquiry" and "as to" with "about", maintaining a formal and inquisitive connotation.

doubt concerning whether

Replaces "question" with "doubt" and "as to" with "concerning", emphasizing uncertainty.

uncertainty regarding if

Replaces "question" with "uncertainty", shifting the focus to a state of being unsure and replaces "whether" with "if".

debate over whether

Substitutes "question" with "debate", indicating a discussion or argument surrounding a particular point.

consideration of whether

Replaces "question" with "consideration", suggesting a thoughtful examination of a situation.

issue concerning if

Substitutes "question" with "issue", which is a concern, and replaces "whether" with "if".

the matter of whether

Uses "matter" instead of "question", framing the inquiry as a topic of discussion or concern.

point regarding if

Replaces "question" with "point", and replaces "whether" with "if", framing the inquiry as a specific item of discussion.

speculation on whether

Substitutes "question" with "speculation", suggesting conjecture or assumption.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "question as to whether" for brevity?

For a more concise phrasing, you can use alternatives like "query about whether", "inquiry into whether", or simply ask "is it the case that", depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to use "as to" in the phrase "question as to whether"?

While grammatically correct, "as to" can sometimes be omitted for a more streamlined sentence. You can often rephrase the sentence to use "question of whether" or directly pose the question without "as to", maintaining clarity.

What's the difference between "question as to whether" and "issue of whether"?

"Question as to whether" introduces a specific point of uncertainty or inquiry. "Issue of whether" refers to a broader matter of debate or concern. The nuance depends on the context and the scope of the uncertainty.

When is it more appropriate to use "concern as to whether" instead of "question as to whether"?

"Question as to whether" is used to raise a query, whereas "concern as to whether" indicates worry or anxiety about a particular outcome. Use "concern" when there's an element of apprehension or worry involved.