telling us whether

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "telling us whether" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of providing information or making a decision about a particular situation or condition. Example: "The survey is aimed at telling us whether the new policy is effective in improving employee satisfaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

But the data are very little use in telling us whether a particular crime is rising or falling.

BBC

And how far back into "the past" should he have to go in terms of telling us whether he ever benefited from Blairmore?

The Guardian

Total: Democrats 3, Republicans 2. We can't really know until the middle of next week, when polls will appear telling us whether the GOP got its bounce.

The Guardian

Eubank Jr's fight against Saunders will go some way to telling us whether this assimilation has taken place.

BBC

So on July 1 we'll see a puff of smoke from large companies telling us whether they think it is now cheaper to buy than make.

Forbes

All you need to do is leave a comment telling us whether or not you prefer the classic NES version or the updated Wii version.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Concerts and recordings cannot tell us whether Bach actually used -- or wished to use -- a chorus of four singers.

The New York Times - Arts

As such, it cannot tell us whether the model is worth using in clinical practice, because it does not incorporate information on consequences.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Although informative, the free energy profiles presented above do not tell us whether the S state is actually used by MBP during ligand recognition.

Biochemistry

But the use of such surrogate physiological endpoints may not tell us whether a specific mode of ventilation is indeed more appropriate for our patients.

Critical Care

Such studies have the potential to tell us whether treatment interventions are viable options for patients who choose to use them.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "telling us whether" when you want to convey that something will provide information about a binary choice or condition. It is effective for framing questions or reporting on expected outcomes.

Common error

While acceptable, "telling us whether" can sound less formal in some contexts. In professional or academic writing, consider alternatives like "informing us if" or "indicating whether" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "telling us whether" functions as a connector introducing an indirect question or a clause expressing a condition or choice. It commonly links a statement to a subsequent determination or revelation, aligning with examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "telling us whether" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that introduces a condition or choice about which information will be provided. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. While versatile, it leans towards a neutral register, making it suitable for various contexts, though more formal alternatives exist. It is most frequently found in news and media, as well as scientific sources. Remember to consider the formality of your context and choose alternatives like "informing us if" for more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

informing us if

This alternative replaces "whether" with "if", simplifying the expression while maintaining its core meaning.

letting us know whether

This adds a slightly more informal tone by using "letting us know" instead of "telling us".

indicating to us whether

This alternative uses a more formal verb, "indicating", to convey the same meaning.

showing us if

This option simplifies the phrase using "showing us" and "if", maintaining the essential meaning in a less formal way.

revealing to us whether

This uses the verb "revealing", implying a disclosure of information.

advising us whether

This suggests providing guidance or counsel regarding a choice.

clarifying for us if

Using "clarifying" emphasizes the act of making something clearer to the recipient.

demonstrating to us whether

This implies a more visual or empirical form of communication.

elucidating to us whether

This is a more formal and complex way of saying "making clear".

disclosing to us if

This suggests revealing information that was previously hidden or unknown.

FAQs

How can I use "telling us whether" in a sentence?

You can use "telling us whether" to introduce a condition or choice about which information will be provided. For example, "The experiment is aimed at "telling us whether" the new drug is effective".

What's a more formal alternative to "telling us whether"?

For more formal contexts, you could use alternatives like "informing us if" or "indicating whether". These options provide a slightly elevated tone suitable for academic or professional writing.

Is it always necessary to use "whether" after "telling us"?

Using "whether" after "telling us" is necessary when you are presenting a choice or condition with two or more possibilities. If you're only conveying a single piece of information without alternatives, you can omit "whether".

What can I say instead of "telling us whether" in an informal context?

In informal situations, you can use phrases like "letting us know if" or "showing us if". These options are more conversational and relaxed.