turns on whether

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "turns on whether" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that a situation or outcome depends on a specific condition or factor. Example: "The success of the project turns on whether we can secure the necessary funding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The drama turns on whether she'll yield to her stalker's charms.

The New Yorker

The issue now turns on whether Mr. Jackson's estate was worth nearly as much in the moment before he died as the I.R.S. contends it was worth after.

The New York Times

This case therefore turns on whether the Miranda court announced a constitutional rule or merely exercised its supervisory authority to regulate evidence in the absence of Congressional direction.

The New York Times

The drama turns on whether he can drop his occupational self-absorption and in any way rise to the challenge of wartime.

The New York Times - Arts

Dianne Nicol, a professor of law at the University of Tasmania, observes that "this case turns on whether an isolated gene sequence has markedly different characteristics from a gene that occurs in the human body.

The Economist

The case turns on whether Goldman had a legal obligation to disclose Paulson's involvement in its subsequent issuance of a complicated derivative security known as a "synthetic collateralized debt obligation," whose value was tied to dozens of subprime-mortgage bonds.

The New Yorker

There is a debate about taxing the rich, but it involves political leaders from the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition, not corporate chieftains, and turns on whether some taxes should be lower, not just higher.

The Economist

The controversy in the Senate turns on whether scientists should be permitted to use them to extract stem cells, cells that form very early in embryonic development, that in theory could be turned into treatments for disease.

The New York Times

It's the story of an executive (played by Claire Foy) who believes that she is being stalked and is committed to a mental institution; the drama turns on whether her beliefs are real or hallucinations.

The New Yorker

The case turns on whether a profit-making corporation is a "person," for purposes of RFRA and can therefore claim an exemption based on the religion of its shareholders.

Huffington Post

In their view, the case turns on whether there are important differences between same-sex and opposite-sex couples, and they offer the ability to procreate as one important distinction.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "turns on whether" to clearly indicate that a decision, outcome, or understanding hinges on a specific condition or question. Ensure the sentence structure is clear, with the condition immediately following the phrase.

Common error

While grammatically correct, avoid using "turns on whether" excessively in informal writing or conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "depends on if" or "relies on whether" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "turns on whether" functions as a conjunction phrase, introducing a condition upon which a statement or situation depends. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of the phrase and its utility in framing conditional statements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

22%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "turns on whether" is a versatile conjunction phrase used to express that an outcome or situation is conditional on a specific factor. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently employed in formal writing across various domains like news, science, and encyclopedias. While highly useful, writers should be mindful of its formality and consider simpler alternatives in informal contexts. Remember to clearly structure sentences using this phrase, ensuring the conditional element is explicitly stated. Alternatives include "depends on whether", "hinges on whether", and "is contingent on whether", offering nuances in emphasis and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turns upon whether

A slightly more formal and archaic version of the original phrase, maintaining the same meaning.

is dependent on whether

This is a direct synonym, clearly indicating that the outcome is reliant on the condition.

hinges on whether

This alternative conveys a slightly more dramatic sense of dependence, suggesting that everything rests on the condition being met.

rests on whether

Similar to "hinges on", this conveys a strong sense of reliance on the condition.

is determined by whether

This emphasizes that the condition is the deciding factor in the outcome.

is contingent on whether

This phrase adds a layer of formality, emphasizing that the outcome is subject to the specified condition.

is conditional on whether

This is a formal way of saying that the outcome relies on a specific condition being true.

depends on if

This option is more informal, replacing "whether" with "if" but retaining the core meaning of dependence.

revolves around whether

This suggests that the central point or issue is the condition being discussed.

is subject to whether

This phrase suggests the outcome is controlled or influenced by the condition.

FAQs

How can I use "turns on whether" in a sentence?

The phrase "turns on whether" is used to indicate that a situation or outcome depends on a specific condition. For example, "The success of the project "turns on whether" we can secure the necessary funding."

What are some alternatives to "turns on whether"?

You can use alternatives like "depends on whether", "hinges on whether", or "is contingent upon whether" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "turns on if" instead of "turns on whether"?

While "turns on whether" is grammatically preferred and more formal, "turns on if" might be acceptable in informal contexts. However, using ""turns on whether"" is generally recommended for clarity and correctness.

What's the difference between "depends on" and "turns on whether"?

"Depends on" is a more general phrase indicating reliance, while ""turns on whether"" specifically highlights that the outcome is contingent on a particular question or condition being resolved.