to evaluate whether

USAGE SUMMARY

"to evaluate whether" is correct and usable in written English.
It is commonly used to introduce a clause that explains the reason for evaluating something or someone, or to indicate the purpose of an evaluation. Example: "The teacher asked the students to evaluate whether the experiment was conducted properly before analyzing the results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Mr. Mitchell needs to evaluate whether it is time to encourage Syrian peace talks with Israel.

The New York Times

The goal is to evaluate whether a company's performance can continue.

The New York Times

Schmidt said he's even brought in a "heavyweight" attorney to evaluate whether those alleged similarities constitute copyright infringement.

The Guardian - Music

With opera, on the other hand, there are more objective ways to evaluate whether a score rambles on.

The New York Times - Arts

The broadcaster said that each investment was carefully considered to evaluate whether there was a "clear growth opportunity".

The Guardian

At the end of the program, they are given standardized tests to evaluate whether they learned what was advertised.

The New York Times

However, the report said it is not possible to evaluate whether products have become more affordable for specific patients.

The Guardian - Business

The commission would have to evaluate whether Mrs. Clinton had exhausted all reasonable means to pay down her debt.

The New York Times

It's worth sorting through this grab bag now, to evaluate whether any of these policies might be helpful.

The New York Times

"We were trying to evaluate whether they were honest or not," Jones said.

The New York Times - Sports

I wasn't trusting myself to evaluate whether these were the right people.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to evaluate whether" when introducing a clause that explains the purpose of an assessment or investigation. It clearly indicates the reason for the evaluation.

Common error

Ensure that the context clearly defines the criteria used for evaluation. Vague criteria can lead to subjective or inconsistent results. Always specify what aspects are being considered when using "to evaluate whether".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to evaluate whether" functions as an introductory phrase to a subordinate clause. It introduces the reason or purpose for conducting an evaluation or assessment. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's about examining something to draw conclusions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to evaluate whether" serves as a crucial tool for introducing the purpose of an analysis or investigation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and highly usable across various contexts. Predominantly found in scientific and news-related articles, it maintains a formal to neutral register. Remember to use it when clearly stating the intentions behind an assessment, providing a robust foundation for your statements. Consider using synonyms like "to assess whether" or "to determine whether" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to determine whether

Substitutes "evaluate" with "determine", emphasizing the process of finding out the exact facts.

to assess whether

Substitutes "evaluate" with "assess", focusing on the process of estimating the value or quality.

to judge whether

Replaces "evaluate" with "judge", implying a more decisive assessment.

to examine whether

Substitutes "evaluate" with "examine", focusing on a detailed inspection.

to analyze whether

Replaces "evaluate" with "analyze", suggesting a systematic and detailed investigation.

to investigate whether

Substitutes "evaluate" with "investigate", implying a more in-depth inquiry.

to gauge whether

Replaces "evaluate" with "gauge", suggesting an attempt to measure or estimate.

to appraise whether

Replaces "evaluate" with "appraise", implying a formal assessment of worth.

to identify whether

Substitutes "evaluate" with "identify", focusing on recognizing a specific condition.

to ascertain whether

Replaces "evaluate" with "ascertain", suggesting an effort to find something out for certain.

FAQs

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

Use "to evaluate whether" to introduce a clause explaining the purpose of an assessment. For example, "Scientists conducted experiments to evaluate whether the new drug was effective".

What are some alternatives to "to evaluate whether"?

You can use alternatives like "to assess whether", "to examine whether", or "to determine whether" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "to evaluate whether" and "to assess whether"?

While "to evaluate whether" and "to assess whether" are similar, "evaluate" often implies a more in-depth and comprehensive analysis, while "assess" suggests a more general estimation of value or quality.

When is it appropriate to use "to evaluate whether" in formal writing?

It is appropriate in any formal writing where you need to state the purpose of an assessment, analysis, or investigation. It's common in academic papers, business reports, and legal documents.