to see whether

USAGE SUMMARY

'to see whether' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to give the impression that you are exploring various possibilities. For example, "We are conducting further tests to see whether our hypothesis is correct."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It will be interesting to see whether that was true.

Harvard University

It will be interesting to see whether this happens.

The Guardian - Business

It will be interesting to see whether this catches on.

The Guardian

"We're looking to see whether something similar can be done".

The Guardian - Sport

Just to see whether Nadal can do it.

The Guardian - Sport

"To see whether it was warmer than yesterday.

The Guardian - Film

Maron is keen to see whether it catches on.

The Guardian - Tech

I'm anxious to see whether that is true or not.

The New York Times - Sports

I want to see whether he's on the charts.

The New Yorker

She added: "We wait to see whether the situation improves.

The Guardian

We'll watch to see whether Boehner makes any such sign.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to see whether" when you want to explore or investigate a situation where the outcome is uncertain. For instance, "Researchers conducted a study to see whether a new drug effectively treats the disease".

Common error

While "to see whether" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make the text sound less professional. Opt for stronger alternatives like "to determine whether" or "to investigate whether" in academic papers or business reports.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to see whether" functions as a subordinating conjunction, introducing a dependent clause that expresses the purpose or reason for an action. It indicates an intention to investigate or determine if a certain condition is true or if a particular outcome occurs, as shown by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

40%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to see whether" functions as a purpose connector, indicating an intention to investigate or determine if something is true. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts. It is very commonly used in News & Media and Science, making it versatile for both formal and informal communication. For more formal contexts, consider using stronger alternatives like "to determine whether" or "to investigate whether". Overall, "to see whether" is a reliable and widely understood phrase for expressing the purpose of inquiry.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to determine if

Focuses on the act of definitively finding something out, suggesting a more conclusive investigation.

to investigate whether

Highlights a more in-depth and thorough examination of the situation.

to ascertain whether

Emphasizes the process of establishing something as definitely true.

to check if

Suggests a quick verification or confirmation of a condition.

to find out whether

Highlights the discovery of information, often implying an unknown status.

to explore if

Indicates an exploratory approach to discover potential outcomes.

to analyze whether

Focuses on a detailed examination of data or information to determine a specific outcome.

to assess if

Emphasizes the evaluation of a situation to determine a particular condition.

to examine if

Indicates a careful and detailed inspection to understand a situation.

to probe whether

Suggests a deeper, more investigative inquiry into a situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "to see whether" to introduce a clause that expresses the purpose of an action, often involving investigation or exploration. For example, "We conducted tests "to see whether" the new formula improves engine performance".

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

"To see whether" implies a general exploration, while "to determine whether" suggests a more conclusive and definitive investigation aimed at finding a specific answer.

Are there any contexts where using "to see whether" is inappropriate?

While generally acceptable, using "to see whether" might be less suitable in highly formal or technical contexts. Consider stronger alternatives like "to ascertain whether" or "to investigate whether" for a more professional tone.

What are some alternatives to "to see whether"?

Alternatives include "to check if", "to investigate if", "to determine if", or "to ascertain if". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality required.