Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

supposed whether

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "supposed whether" is not correct and does not make sense in written English.
It seems to be a confusion of terms and does not convey a clear meaning. Example: "I was supposed to decide whether to attend the meeting or not."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Bolzano's main objection against the Categorical Imperative was that we cannot derive from it alone — as Kant supposed — whether a given act ought to be done or not.

Science

SEP

The question was, he supposed, whether to walk ten kilometers back to Ormea, as against 14 ahead to Bagnasco gambling the extra four kilometers on the chance of there being a small town before it not on the map.

News & Media

Vice

While treatment with NE rescued LTP impairment in aged rats, we supposed whether the downregulation of NE can lead to an impairment of LTP in adult rats.

Science

Aging Cell

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

When it was my turn, I pulled out my aged battering ram and asked, without too much conviction I suppose, whether Mr Hobbs carried out repairs.

"Whether you feel you are doing no harm; whether you feel you are doing it sensitively; and, I suppose, whether the publisher or the reader agrees that you have done it sensitively".

One participant commented: The impact is still as great I suppose whether you're 20 or 120.

You might have supposed that whether we judge an action to be (say) blameworthy depends on whether we think it was intentional, and the nature of intentional action is something philosophers have had plenty to say about.

Clearly, it challenged the hoary stereotype that grown men don't cry – or aren't supposed to – whether in private or in public.

Time after time the British public has shown itself to be more progressive than its supposed representatives – whether on foreign policy, climate change or public services.

Therefore, we supposed that whether the exogenous pre-bloom application of GA3 to grape inflorescences stimulates berry production may be cultivar-dependent.

Defense officials said it was unclear what the disclaimer was supposed to say, whether it had been left off by the Lincoln Group or by Iraqi publishers and whether the omission was deliberate.

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "supposed whether" in formal writing. Instead, consider alternatives like "wondered whether" or "considered if" for improved clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Do not mix "supposed to" (meaning expected or intended) with "whether" (indicating a choice or doubt). A more appropriate construction would clarify if you are expressing an expectation or posing a question.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "supposed whether" does not function correctly in English grammar. Ludwig AI shows it appears to be a confusion of terms and does not effectively convey a clear meaning. This construction is generally considered ungrammatical.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "supposed whether" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in both formal and informal writing. Ludwig AI confirms it is a confusion of terms, unlikely to convey the intended meaning effectively. Alternatives like "wondered whether", "assumed if", or restructuring the sentence to clearly separate the concepts of expectation and condition are recommended for clearer and more accurate communication. While it appears in some scientific and news media contexts, its use does not establish it as acceptable English.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "supposed" with "whether"?

The phrase "supposed whether" is generally incorrect. You can use "supposed to" to indicate an expectation and "whether" to introduce a condition. For example, "I was supposed to decide "whether to attend" the meeting or not".

What is a better alternative to "supposed whether" in a sentence?

Instead of "supposed whether", consider using phrases like "wondered "whether or not"", "considered if", or "assumed if", depending on the context and the meaning you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "supposed whether"?

No, "supposed whether" is not grammatically correct. It's a confusion of terms. "Supposed" typically implies an expectation or obligation, while "whether" introduces a question or condition. Use them in separate, grammatically sound constructions.

When should I use "supposed to" versus "whether"?

"Supposed to" indicates an expectation or obligation, as in "You are supposed to complete the task". "Whether" introduces alternatives or conditions, as in "I don't know "whether or not" I should go".

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: