whether he is

USAGE SUMMARY

"whether he is" is a valid phrase that can be used in written English.
For example: John was unsure whether he is capable of completing the task.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I wonder whether he is crazy.

The New Yorker

Whether he is a leader.

The New York Times

"Whether he is a civilian.

The New York Times

Whether he is an artist, too.

The Guardian

Whether he is elected is another matter.

The New York Times - Sports

"I don't know whether he is alive or dead.

The New York Times

Whether he is not, it will be effort well spent.

The New York Times

(It is unclear whether he is selling that first house).

The New York Times

Some have even questioned whether he is still alive.

The New York Times

Today we will see whether he is too relaxed.

Independent

"In fact I don't know whether he is dead".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "whether he is" in formal writing, maintain consistency with the register by employing grammatically correct and complete sentences to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid mismatched tenses when using "whether he is". Ensure that the tense in the 'whether' clause agrees with the main clause to maintain logical consistency. For example, instead of "I wondered whether he is coming", use "I wondered whether he was coming" if referring to a past event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whether he is" functions as a subordinating conjunction introducing a dependent clause that expresses doubt or a condition. Ludwig AI confirms its common use in various contexts. Examples include expressing uncertainty, posing indirect questions, or stating alternative possibilities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "whether he is" serves as a conjunction phrase used to introduce uncertainty, doubt, or conditional clauses. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it's grammatically correct and very common across various contexts. The primary contexts are News & Media and Science. While generally neutral, its precise use makes it suitable for formal writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the subsequent clause is clear about the condition or uncertainty being expressed, and maintain tense agreement to avoid grammatical errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if he is

Replaces "whether" with "if", maintaining the conditional sense but with a slightly less formal tone.

depending on if he is

Highlights the dependency of a situation based on his current state.

is he

This is a direct question form, removing the introductory "whether" for a more concise inquiry.

the question of whether he is

Emphasizes the existence of a question regarding his state.

in the event that he is

Adds a layer of formality and conditionality, suitable for more formal contexts.

assuming that he is

Shifts the focus to making an assumption, rather than expressing doubt.

on the condition that he is

Specifies a clear condition that needs to be met.

subject to him being

Introduces a dependency, making the statement contingent on his state or action.

contingent upon him being

Similar to "subject to him being", but with a more formal tone.

regarding his status

Substantially condenses the phrase, focusing directly on his condition or position.

FAQs

How do I use "whether he is" in a sentence?

Use "whether he is" to introduce a clause expressing doubt or a choice between alternatives concerning a male individual. For example, "I'm unsure "whether he is coming" to the party."

What phrases are similar to "whether he is"?

Alternatives include phrases like "if he is", "is he", or "depending on "if he is"", which can be used depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it grammatically correct to use "whether he is"?

Yes, "whether he is" is grammatically correct when used to introduce an indirect question or to express uncertainty. It correctly sets up a condition or alternative.

What's the difference between "whether he is" and "whether he was"?

"Whether he is" refers to a present or future condition, while "whether he was" refers to a past condition. The choice depends on the time frame you are discussing.