to determine whether

USAGE SUMMARY

"to determine whether" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to talk about the process of examining a situation or making an inquiry in order to find out the answer to a question. For example, "The doctor ordered an MRI to determine whether the patient had any internal injuries."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Tony Rackauckas to determine whether it violated state law.

Los Angeles Times

To determine whether a source is variable.

Harvard University

It was not designed to determine whether Erbitux prolongs lives.

The New York Times

Tests were needed to determine whether Belmokhtar was among them.

The Guardian

But first he had to determine whether they were real.

The New York Times

The Bureau is authorized to determine whether such inconsistencies exist.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

This study was conducted to determine whether reduced dose i.d.

Plosone

[to] determine whether one religion or another should be superior.

Los Angeles Times

Take your temperature to determine whether you have one.

WikiHow

We conducted the present study to determine whether intravenous (i.v).v

Blood Cancer Journal

To determine whether the variation observed in R. felis str.

Genome Biology and Evolution

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow "to determine whether" with a specific and testable question to guide your inquiry effectively.

Common error

Avoid using "to determine whether" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "to see if" or "to check if" are often more appropriate and natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to determine whether" functions as an infinitive phrase that introduces a clause expressing a condition or uncertainty requiring investigation or assessment. It acts as an adverbial modifier indicating the purpose of an action, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

31%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to determine whether" serves as a crucial tool in expressing the intent to investigate or assess a condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in formal and scientific contexts. While versatile, it's best to reserve it for situations where a formal and deliberate inquiry is intended, opting for simpler alternatives in casual settings. With a very common usage frequency, understanding its nuances allows for more precise and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to ascertain if

Replaces "determine whether" with "ascertain if", maintaining a formal tone but slightly alters the nuance from active investigation to confirmation.

to verify if

Focuses on confirming the truth or accuracy of something, rather than simply finding out, adding a layer of validation.

to investigate whether

Emphasizes a systematic or formal inquiry, suggesting a more in-depth examination of the subject.

to examine if

Implies a careful and detailed inspection, highlighting the thoroughness of the inquiry.

to assess whether

Shifts the focus to evaluating or judging the situation, adding an element of appraisal.

to check if

Suggests a quick and simple verification, suitable for less formal contexts.

to find out if

Adopts a more informal and straightforward approach, suitable for general inquiries.

to see if

Offers a casual alternative, implying a simple observation or test to gain information.

to learn whether

Focuses on acquiring knowledge, suggesting a process of education or discovery.

to explore whether

Implies an open-ended inquiry, where the outcome is uncertain and the goal is to gather information.

FAQs

How can I use "to determine whether" in a sentence?

You can use "to determine whether" to introduce a question that needs to be answered through investigation or analysis. For example, "The scientists conducted experiments to determine whether the new drug was effective."

What can I say instead of "to determine whether"?

You can use alternatives like "to ascertain if", "to investigate whether", or "to see if" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "to determine whether" or "to determining whether"?

"To determine whether" is the correct infinitive form. "To determining whether" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "to determine whether" and "to establish whether"?

"To determine whether" implies an investigation to find out something, while "to establish whether" suggests proving something to be true or factual. The alternative "to establish whether" is more suitable if you are looking to confirm a fact.