ruling on whether

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ruling on whether" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal or formal contexts when discussing a decision or judgment regarding a specific issue or question. Example: "The court is expected to issue a ruling on whether the evidence presented is admissible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The court said it was not ruling on whether the judge's order violated Hasan's religious rights.

The Guardian

Mr. Duncan has the ticklish job of ruling on whether the governors' assurances are convincing.

The New York Times

A settlement prevents the court from ruling on whether such a merger was legal under the antitrust laws.

The New York Times

Germany's embassy insists that this is misleading because the New York court is merely ruling on whether it is legal to seize assets there.

The Economist

The case should have been resolved by simply ruling on whether McCain-Feingold applied to "Hillary: The Movie," or at least to nonprofit corporations like Citizens United.

The New Yorker

A High Court judge has delayed delivering a ruling on whether a seven-year-old boy with brain cancer must undergo radiotherapy.

BBC

A South African magistrate is delivering his ruling on whether Oscar Pistorius, accused of murdering his girlfriend, should be freed on bail.

BBC

The out-of-court agreement prevented a Johannesburg court from ruling on whether Oger won the license as a result of political connections.

Forbes

Media have sued for access to the school surveillance footage, which a judge was reviewing Friday before ruling on whether to release it.

Los Angeles Times

The Hollywood Reporter said a ruling on whether the case would proceed was expected soon.

The New York Times

But prosecutors made no ruling on whether the works were forgeries.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ruling on whether", ensure that the context clearly presents two or more distinct possibilities or conditions being considered. This phrase is most effective when the decision hinges on a specific condition.

Common error

Avoid using "ruling on whether" in situations where the condition is already known or implied. The phrase loses its impact if there isn't a genuine question or uncertainty being resolved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ruling on whether" primarily functions as a noun phrase functioning as an adverbial modifier. It typically introduces a clause that specifies the subject of a judgment or decision. The examples Ludwig provides demonstrate this usage, indicating that it is a common and accepted grammatical structure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ruling on whether" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed construction used to introduce a condition or subject upon which a judgment or decision hinges. It appears most commonly in news and media, academic, and business contexts. According to Ludwig, this phrase is generally considered correct. When employing "ruling on whether", ensure the context presents a genuine question or uncertainty being resolved to maximize its impact. Related phrases include "determination regarding if" and "decision concerning whether", which can be used as alternatives depending on the level of formality desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decision concerning whether

Replaces 'ruling' with 'decision', emphasizing the act of choosing between alternatives.

adjudication as to whether

Replaces 'ruling' with 'adjudication', emphasizing a formal judgment or decision, often in legal settings.

verdict regarding whether

Replaces 'ruling' with 'verdict', commonly used in legal contexts to indicate a formal decision.

determination regarding if

Focuses on the act of determining a condition, shifting from 'ruling' to 'determination'.

finding concerning if

Replaces 'ruling' with 'finding', indicating the result of an investigation or inquiry.

judgment as to if

Substitutes 'ruling' with 'judgment', highlighting an official and considered opinion.

resolution regarding whether

Highlights the aspect of resolving an uncertainty or dispute.

conclusion regarding if

Emphasizes the final result of a deliberation process.

pronouncement concerning if

Uses 'pronouncement' to suggest a more formal or authoritative declaration.

assessment about if

Changes the focus to evaluating a situation, instead of issuing a formal ruling.

FAQs

How can I use "ruling on whether" in a sentence?

Use "ruling on whether" when discussing a judgment or decision about a specific condition or situation. For example, "The court is expected to issue a "ruling on whether" the evidence is admissible."

What are some alternatives to "ruling on whether"?

You can use alternatives like "decision concerning whether", "judgment as to if", or "determination regarding if" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "ruling on whether" and "decision on whether"?

While similar, "ruling on whether" often implies a more formal or official judgment, typically from a court or authority, while "decision on whether" can be used in more general contexts.

Can I use "ruling on whether" in informal writing?

While "ruling on whether" is grammatically correct, it is generally more suitable for formal or professional contexts. In informal settings, consider using simpler alternatives like "deciding if" or "determining if".