uncertainty as to whether

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "uncertainty as to whether" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing doubt or lack of clarity regarding a particular situation or decision. Example: "There is uncertainty as to whether the event will take place due to the weather conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

There's some uncertainty as to whether Russia or General Motors is the biggest investor.

The New Yorker

The airline suggested there was uncertainty as to whether its tool was considered an "equivalent substitute".

The New York Times

Initially there was uncertainty as to whether he had big enough weapons.

The Guardian - Sport

We live in a state of uncertainty as to whether another terrorist attack will occur.

The New York Times

There is a significant uncertainty as to whether these projections will be achieved".

Independent

The Egyptians faced persecution for their actions, not to mention uncertainty as to whether the movement would succeed.

The Guardian - Opinion

But he said the elevated terror alert "leaves doubt and uncertainty as to whether the Christmas rally will transpire".

The New York Times

Mr. Gore left some uncertainty as to whether a Gore administration would start building a defensive shield.

The New York Times

It follows uncertainty as to whether it would attend the Geneva talks, after initially refusing to attend.

Independent

These caused some uncertainty as to whether banks would receive tax relief for certain types of provisions against loans which had turned sour.

The Guardian - Business

"There was never any uncertainty as to whether the fair was going to be held," said Jim McKenna, the site director at Old Bethpage Village.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "uncertainty as to whether", ensure the sentence clearly outlines the specific situation or decision about which there is doubt. Provide sufficient context to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using redundant phrases alongside "uncertainty as to whether". For example, don't say "there is doubt and uncertainty as to whether", as it repeats the same idea.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "uncertainty as to whether" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a clause expressing doubt or a lack of clarity regarding a specific situation or condition. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

34%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "uncertainty as to whether" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase for expressing doubt or lack of clarity. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and academic writing. While alternatives like "doubt about whether" exist, "uncertainty as to whether" remains a reliable choice. When using this phrase, ensure clarity and avoid redundancy to maintain effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

doubt about whether

Replaces "uncertainty" with "doubt", emphasizing a lack of conviction.

ambiguity regarding whether

Substitutes "uncertainty" with "ambiguity", highlighting a lack of clear meaning.

question of whether

Focuses on the point of inquiry or debate.

indecision about whether

Highlights the inability to decide on a course of action.

lack of clarity on whether

Emphasizes the absence of a clear understanding.

vagueness concerning whether

Replaces "uncertainty" with "vagueness", stressing a lack of precision.

unresolved issue of whether

Highlights that the matter remains unsettled.

open question as to whether

Suggests that the matter is still under consideration and without an answer.

debatable point of whether

Emphasizes the controversial nature of the matter.

speculation about whether

Replaces "uncertainty" with "speculation", highlighting conjecture without firm evidence.

FAQs

How can I use "uncertainty as to whether" in a sentence?

Use "uncertainty as to whether" to introduce a clause expressing doubt or lack of clarity about a specific event or condition. For instance, "There is "uncertainty as to whether" the project will be completed on time."

What are some alternatives to "uncertainty as to whether"?

You can use alternatives like "doubt about whether", "ambiguity regarding whether", or "question of whether" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to use "uncertainty as to whether" or "doubt about whether"?

"Uncertainty as to whether" is generally perceived as slightly more formal than "doubt about whether". However, both are appropriate in most formal writing contexts.

How does "uncertainty as to whether" differ from "uncertainty about"?

"Uncertainty about" is used for general uncertainty concerning a topic, while ""uncertainty as to whether"" introduces a specific question or condition about which there is doubt. For example, "uncertainty about the future" vs. ""uncertainty as to whether" the company will survive".