unsure as to whether

USAGE SUMMARY

"unsure as to whether" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is used when expressing doubt about whether something is true or not. For example, "I am unsure as to whether the bus will leave on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I'm unsure as to whether I will read more of his work.

The Guardian - Books

"I was unsure as to whether it would work," he said.

The New York Times - Tech

Frank Yeung, co-founder of Mr Bao, says he's unsure as to whether the festival circuit was for him.

The Guardian

It is still unsure as to whether Europe will mandate targets for renewables or just emissions reductions.

The Guardian

State propaganda and the collusion of his parents had left Demirtaş unsure as to whether he was a Turk or a Kurd.

The Guardian

I am unsure as to whether I should try and get back into SEO or take the role of a media auditor.

The Guardian - Money

Ms. McGillis, however, said that for a time she remained unsure as to whether "I could trust her again in my life".

The New York Times

The libretto meanwhile seems unsure as to whether it wants to be a traditional ballet fairytale or attempt something a little harder edged.

Independent

The shooter, who said he had been sleeping there due to an earlier attempted burglary, was unsure as to whether any of his three shots hit the suspect.

The New York Times

A lot of women bought into the scene big time - but appeared unsure as to whether it was possible to retain female characteristics and enjoy the most popular sport on the planet.

The Guardian

She acknowledged, however, that Europeans had objected to some American security provisions in the past and said she was unsure as to whether the new policy would anger some Dutch citizens.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unsure as to whether", ensure the sentence structure is clear to avoid ambiguity. It's often followed by a clause expressing the uncertain situation or outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "unsure as to whether" followed by a direct question. Instead, rephrase the sentence to express the uncertainty as a statement. For example, instead of "I'm unsure as to whether should I go?", say "I'm unsure as to whether I should go."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unsure as to whether" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a clause expressing doubt or uncertainty. As noted by Ludwig AI, it indicates a state of not knowing or being uncertain about a particular situation or outcome. It is commonly used to express a lack of clarity or confidence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

39%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "unsure as to whether" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate doubt or uncertainty, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It commonly appears in News & Media and Scientific contexts, maintaining a neutral to formal register. While alternatives like "uncertain if" or "not sure whether" exist, understanding the nuances helps ensure clarity in writing. When using the expression be careful when using it with direct question and try to rephrase the sentence to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncertain if

Shortened form; more informal but conveys the same meaning.

not sure whether

A more direct and simple way of expressing uncertainty.

unclear if

Similar to 'uncertain if', but places more emphasis on a lack of clarity.

undecided if

Focuses on the lack of a firm decision or opinion.

doubtful whether

Emphasizes the feeling of doubt regarding a particular situation.

questioning whether

Highlights the act of questioning or pondering a possibility.

hesitant about whether

Suggests reluctance or caution due to uncertainty.

in two minds about whether

Idiomatic expression indicating a divided opinion or uncertainty.

dubious about whether

Implies a sense of skepticism or disbelief.

wavering on whether

Illustrates the fluctuation between different options or beliefs.

FAQs

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

Use "unsure as to whether" to express doubt or uncertainty about a particular situation or outcome. For example: "I am unsure as to whether the meeting will be productive."

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

You can use alternatives like "uncertain if", "not sure whether", or "doubtful whether" to express similar uncertainty.

Is it better to use "unsure as to whether" or "uncertain whether"?

Both "unsure as to whether" and "uncertain whether" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. The choice often comes down to personal preference or the desired tone of the writing.

What's the difference between "unsure as to whether" and "unsure of"?

"Unsure as to whether" is used when expressing doubt about a specific situation or outcome. "Unsure of" is used when expressing a lack of confidence or certainty about something in general. For example, "I'm unsure of my abilities" expresses a general lack of confidence, while "I'm unsure as to whether I can finish this project on time" expresses doubt about a specific outcome.