unknown as to whether

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unknown as to whether" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing uncertainty about a particular situation or outcome. Example: "The results of the experiment are still unknown as to whether they will support the initial hypothesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

However, it's unknown as to whether a single shot would be totally effective against the officially named H1N1 virus.

Forbes

However, it was unknown as to whether or not this effect would carry over into the tissue-like multilayer model due to the presence of ECM.

Nano-Micro Letters

And, finally and definitely, up to a point, an unknown as to whether it is more of a problem or a solution.

Huffington Post

It is still unknown as to whether or not the officer that shot and killed Sylville Smith knew he was armed at the time that he fled.

Huffington Post

It is unknown as to whether the term Thamizhar and its equivalents in Prakrit such as Damela, Dameda, Dhamila and Damila was a self designation or a term denoted by outsiders.

Wikipedia

Although, due to the nature of a TISM performance, no positive ID on the members can be made, and as such, it is unknown as to whether or not the band performing is indeed TISM in some form, or a cover band.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

It is, however, unknown yet as to whether an early ablation therapy and a further optimization of ablation procedures could further improve success rate and reduce complications associated with the ablation procedure, and, in turn, may improve cardiovascular outcomes like mortality, cardiovascular hospitalizations, worsening of heart failure, and stroke.

Europace

Whether Vale would be willing to bid again is unknown, as is whether there is anyone out there who can compete to buy Xstrata or whether it is more valuable for Xstrata to stay independent.

The New York Times

However, the exact form of the risk function for very heavy drinkers is still unknown, as is whether the RR function for liver cirrhosis in fact continues to increase exponentially with increasing exposure at very high alcohol consumption levels.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

In August the 11-year-old Hamnet is buried in Stratford; cause of death is unknown, as is whether Shakespeare attends the funeral – though some biographers have speculated that his interest in putting twins on stage, and writing a play whose hero has a remarkably similar name to his dead son, is a quiet way of paying tribute.

The Guardian

Why the different three-dimensional wax morphologies co-exist on the surface of a single cell is unknown, as is whether these different morphologies are built up by phase separation of different compounds or if they are formed by the same compound.

Nano-Micro Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using simpler alternatives like "uncertain whether" or "unclear if" to improve readability, especially in less formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "unknown as to whether" in informal writing. This phrase can sound stilted or overly academic; opt for more direct alternatives like "not sure if" or "don't know if" in casual communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unknown as to whether" functions as a connector indicating uncertainty. It introduces a clause expressing doubt about a particular condition or outcome. Ludwig AI confirms that this usage is grammatically correct and understandable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

71%

News & Media

21%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unknown as to whether" is a grammatically sound construction used to indicate uncertainty or a lack of definitive information, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While correct, it tends to lean towards a more formal register, commonly found in scientific and news contexts. Simpler alternatives, such as "uncertain whether" or "unclear if", often provide greater clarity and accessibility, especially in less formal settings. As such, while perfectly acceptable, writers should consider the intended audience and context when deciding whether to use "unknown as to whether".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncertain whether

This alternative provides a more concise way of expressing uncertainty, omitting "as to".

it is uncertain if

This simplifies the phrase, making it more direct.

not known whether

This emphasizes the absence of knowledge about a specific situation.

unclear whether

Similar to "uncertain", this highlights a lack of clarity.

undetermined if

This suggests that a decision or conclusion has not yet been reached.

remains to be seen whether

This emphasizes the future aspect of the uncertainty, indicating that the answer will be revealed later.

it is not yet known if

This alternative emphasizes that the information is still pending.

the answer is yet to be determined

This implies that the solution or outcome is still pending and not fully clarified.

it's questionable if

This implies doubt about the validity or truth of something.

it is dubious if

It expresses skepticism about a particular outcome or situation.

FAQs

What does "unknown as to whether" mean?

The phrase "unknown as to whether" means that something is uncertain or not yet established. It is used to indicate a lack of knowledge about a particular situation or outcome.

Is it correct to use "unknown as to whether" in formal writing?

Yes, "unknown as to whether" is grammatically correct and can be used in formal writing. However, simpler alternatives like "uncertain whether" or "unclear if" might be preferable for better readability.

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

Some alternatives include "not known whether", "undetermined if", or "remains to be seen whether". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When should I use "unknown as to whether" instead of a simpler phrase?

Use "unknown as to whether" when you want to maintain a formal tone or emphasize the uncertainty of a situation. However, in most cases, a simpler alternative will suffice and improve clarity.