whether owing to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "whether owing to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a reason or cause for something, often in a formal or academic context. Example: "The project was delayed, whether owing to unforeseen circumstances or lack of resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Despite speaking German, he was turned down for intelligence work, whether owing to his party membership or his mother's nationality.

The Guardian - Books

As the staff started taking away the buffet, she said that she wondered whether, owing to her being a woman or to her designs being perceived as feminine or to some combination of both, she wasn't considered for certain jobs.

The New Yorker

Many directors yield to the temptation to film a literary classic; few manage anything but a petrified reduction of it, whether owing to a lack of imagination or to an excess of respect.

The New Yorker

In the shady sala, on the tree-covered bank at Nongkhai, we never had over 89A, and, whether owing to the advent of the rains or nAt I do not know, it was much cooler and pleasanter than Luang Prabang had been, and all our sick men, with one or two exceptions, mended entirely; while at the former place (as too in the case of Mr. Archeras party) every one had had turns of fever or bad headaches.

Cornell University

Whether owing to self-interest, disinterest or plain boosterism, Division I faculty bodies' failure to challenge their Administrations' cliché-ridden defenses of their football programs represents a failure in their essential function of upholding the truth-seeking norms of academic inquiry and critique.

Huffington Post

Initially, hospital professionals feared an overuse of the circuit in terms of referral of suspected cases by GPs, whether owing to inaccurate matches to guideline symptoms or inappropriate use of the route.

British Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Carson can cope superbly with garrulous guests who tell interminable stories (whether ponderously, owing to drink or downers, or manically, owing to uppers or illicit inhalations).

The New Yorker

Therefore, the key issue, we suggest, is not whether interpretations vary owing to their abstractness (they frequently do vary) but whether this variation matters.

BMJ Open

There is some evidence that this may be true; Mokete et al (2005) also showed that the rate of testing may be lower by a factor of almost 50% in deprived communities, although it is not clear whether this is owing to lack of availability of the test from General Practitioners or whether men in this particular social group simply do not come forward for testing.

British Journal of Cancer

Whether it is owing to the insignificant grown-in defect density of our GaN thin films or is related to the specific geometric shape of indenter tips used is not clear at present and further studies may be required to clarify this issue.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Whether it was owing to the younger singers, the updated production, the cheaper ticket prices, or all three factors, the audience was filled with younger people, including new opera goers with an energy of those who were enjoying the beauty and humor of Così for the very first time.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "whether owing to" with clear and specific reasons to enhance the clarity and impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "whether owing to" in casual conversation or informal writing; opt for simpler alternatives like "because of" or "due to" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whether owing to" functions as a causal connector, introducing potential reasons or causes for a particular situation or event. As shown in Ludwig, it is frequently used to present alternative explanations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "whether owing to" serves as a formal causal connector, presenting potential explanations for a situation, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is most appropriate for academic, scientific, and professional contexts. Ludwig's analysis shows that the phrase is grammatically correct but less common. For informal writing, simpler alternatives like "due to" or "because of" are generally preferred. When using "whether owing to", clarity and precision are key, ensuring the sentence maintains a formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

whether because of

Offers a straightforward explanation for the cause of something.

whether due to

A common and concise way to indicate the reason for something.

whether attributable to

Emphasizes the cause as something that can be assigned or credited to a specific factor.

whether as a result of

Highlights the consequence or outcome directly linked to a particular cause.

whether caused by

Directly points out the reason behind an event or situation.

whether stemming from

Indicates that something originates or arises from a particular source.

whether on account of

Suggests that something happened because of a particular reason or condition.

whether by reason of

A more formal way to express the cause or justification for something.

whether in virtue of

Implies that something is a consequence of a specific quality or characteristic.

whether thanks to

Indicates gratitude or acknowledgment of a positive cause.

FAQs

How can I use "whether owing to" in a sentence?

Use "whether owing to" to introduce a reason or cause, often followed by alternative explanations. Example: "The decline in sales, whether owing to economic downturn or increased competition, requires immediate attention."

What phrases are similar to "whether owing to"?

Alternatives include "whether due to", "whether because of", or "whether attributable to", offering similar causal explanations.

Is "whether owing to" suitable for all types of writing?

No, "whether owing to" is best suited for formal writing, such as academic papers or professional reports. For informal contexts, consider using simpler alternatives like "because of".

What is the difference between "whether owing to" and "due to"?

"Whether owing to" presents multiple potential reasons, while "due to" typically introduces a single, direct cause. "Whether owing to" is also more formal.