to examine whether

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to examine whether" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to look into the truth of something or consider the possibility of something. For example: "We need to examine whether the current policy is effective in reducing emissions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Scientists are keen to examine whether spaceflight has an effect on the immune system.

The Guardian

One test was to examine whether the color of one's collar had any effect.

The New York Times

Pepin advises charities to examine whether the entrepreneurial expectations of venture philanthropists fit with their values.

The Guardian

But NHS England is asking trusts to examine whether there are political and media considerations.

The Guardian

The committee is also expected to examine whether ImClone's directors exercised proper oversight.

The New York Times

The commissioner is likely to examine whether these rules cover declarations to parliament by MPs.

The Guardian

A regression analysis was conducted to examine whether attentional bias predicts food intake and BMI change.

Nature

We sought to examine whether TRIM28 and TRIM24 co-occupies on the chromatin.

Nature

To examine whether this was so, I collected and analyzed tweets sent to fan podcasts.

The Washington Post

He urged politicians to examine whether society is becoming more or less resilient.

The Guardian

To examine whether the heart tube generates functional haematopoietic cells in situ, we employed two methods.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to examine whether", ensure that the sentence clearly states the criteria or methods used for examination. This will enhance clarity and precision.

Common error

A common mistake is using "to examine whether" without specifying how the examination will be conducted. Always provide context on the methodology or factors considered.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to examine whether" functions as an introductory phrase to a clause expressing a question or hypothesis. It sets the stage for an inquiry, analysis, or investigation into a particular matter. This aligns with examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to examine whether" is a versatile phrase used to introduce an investigation, analysis, or assessment. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and widely employed. Its frequency and appearance in diverse sources—spanning science, news, and academia—attest to its utility in framing inquiries. When employing this phrase, ensure you clearly define the criteria and methodologies used for examination. While alternatives such as "to test whether" and "to investigate whether" exist, each nuance impacts the level of formality and intensity of the inquiry.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to test whether

Replaces "examine" with "test", implying a more direct method of verification.

to investigate whether

Using "investigate" suggests a more thorough and detailed inquiry.

to analyze whether

Replaces "examine" with "analyze", focusing on a systematic breakdown and evaluation.

to determine whether

Emphasizes the goal of reaching a definite conclusion.

to assess whether

Using "assess" suggests an evaluation of the importance or value.

to check whether

Less formal; suggests a quick verification.

to explore whether

Using "explore" suggests investigating possible outcomes or effects.

to consider if

Simplifies the structure by using "consider" and "if".

to see if

An even more informal and direct alternative.

to ascertain whether

Replaces "examine" with "ascertain", implying to find something out for certain.

FAQs

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

You can use "to examine whether" to introduce an investigation or consideration of a particular condition or possibility. For example, "Scientists conducted the study to examine whether the new drug was effective".

What are some alternatives to "to examine whether"?

You can use alternatives like "to test whether", "to investigate whether", or "to analyze whether depending on the context.

Is it more formal to use "to examine whether" or "to see if"?

"To examine whether" is more formal and suitable for academic or professional writing, while "to see if" is more informal and appropriate for casual conversation or writing.

What's the difference between "to examine whether" and "to investigate whether"?

While both phrases are similar, "to investigate whether" often implies a more in-depth and thorough inquiry compared to "to examine whether".