whether about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'whether about' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a subordinate conjunction to introduce a clause which provides additional information about a statement or situation. For example: "I heard a lot of rumors, whether about his family or his job, but I'm not sure what to believe."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Whether about life experiences, cooking recipes, DIY projects for the home, or wedding inspirations, blogging can take form of anything you want to share your knowledge about.

Huffington Post

Delusions, whether about tulips or Internet stocks, produce bubbles.

The New York Times

Phoebe Philo's Céline collection was all about jettisoning assumptions, whether about femininity, coolness or minimalism.

The New York Times

The word Jackson returns to again and again is transformative – whether about the arts or politics.

The Guardian

The answers are consistently enlightening, whether about morality, influence or technique.

The Guardian - Books

Allen's later films don't offer many specific observations, whether about relationships or places.

The New Yorker

I find Adam's "all or nothing" approach to life a little scary, whether about his art or his relationship.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

This month the court heard arguments on whether about 300 foreigners held at Guantánamo Bay had the same rights.

The New York Times

Everything Aristotle wrote, whether about natural history or poetry or politics, formed part of a grand, interlocking, philosophical scheme.

The Guardian - Books

None of our Italian friends believed a word he was saying, whether about the letter or the other proposals.

The Guardian

The story lines, whether about delusional dogs, neurotic lions or spin-kicking pandas, are often very similar.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "whether about", ensure it clearly introduces a conditional or alternative aspect of the topic you're discussing. It's more common in formal writing.

Common error

Don't use "whether about" when a simpler "whether" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound awkward and verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whether about" functions as a subordinate conjunction introducing a clause that specifies different aspects or conditions related to a topic. This is consistent with Ludwig's AI assessment which classifies the phrase as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "whether about" is an acceptable, though rare, conjunction phrase used to introduce clauses that specify different aspects or conditions of a topic. According to Ludwig AI, it is a correct and usable expression. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure it adds clarity and avoids redundancy, as simpler alternatives often suffice. While grammatically sound, its infrequent usage means writers should use it judiciously.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regarding whether

Replaces "about" with "regarding", focusing on the topic under consideration.

concerning whether

Substitutes "about" with "concerning", emphasizing the subject of inquiry.

as to whether

Emphasizes the question of conditionality more directly.

on the subject of whether

Adds specificity by highlighting the topic being discussed.

in relation to whether

Focuses on the connection between a condition and a specific subject.

with respect to whether

Highlights consideration of a particular aspect or factor.

in connection with whether

Emphasizes a direct association or link to the conditional.

pertaining to whether

Formally indicates relevance or connection to the condition.

relating to whether

General alternative indicating a connection or relationship.

depending on whether

Shifts the focus to the dependence on a condition being met.

FAQs

How can I use "whether about" in a sentence?

Use "whether about" to introduce a clause specifying different aspects or conditions related to a topic. For example, "The investigation will determine whether about safety concerns or financial irregularities were the primary cause".

What are some alternatives to "whether about"?

You can use alternatives like "regarding whether", "concerning whether", or "as to whether" depending on the context.

Is "whether about" grammatically correct?

While not as common as simply "whether", "whether about" is grammatically acceptable when used to introduce a clause specifying aspects or conditions. However, ensure it adds clarity and isn't redundant.

In what contexts is "whether about" most appropriate?

"Whether about" is more suited to formal or analytical writing where you need to explicitly highlight different facets of a condition or situation. Simpler alternatives might be preferred in casual contexts.