whether they existed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "whether they existed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the existence of something, often in a hypothetical or uncertain context. Example: "The researchers debated whether they existed in the past or were merely a figment of imagination."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It was not clear who those Americans might be or whether they existed.

The New York Times

Mr. Hammerschmidt said that the Navy had not provided any such recordings yet or told the investigators whether they existed.

The New York Times

It is also impossible to predict which SOR protein could have been the common ancestor and whether they existed prior to the Great Oxidation Event (see section 2).

Chemical Reviews

Due to the retrospective nature of assessments of premorbid adjustment, a prospective study examining profiles of functioning using the TUS with individuals in the prodromal phases of illness would be useful in unpicking whether functional deficits highlighted in the current study were a consequence of the onset of psychosis or whether they existed premorbidly.

British Journal of Psychiatry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It is debatable whether they exist any more.

The Guardian - Sport

Whether they exist outside of their particular system, we cannot know.

The Guardian - Opinion

He refuses to say where the missing billions might be or whether they exist at all.

The Economist

It remains to be seen whether they exist in alternate realities, separate time lines or what have you.

The New York Times - Arts

However, since abstract objects must be nonphysical and nonmental if they exist at all, it is not obvious how one could ever determine whether they exist.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Protagoras, an important and influential sophist ("wisdom-teacher"), declared at the start of his book On the Gods, "I cannot know whether they exist".

The Guardian - Books

Just by coincidence, this week has seen a national conversation about "British values", whether they exist, and whether they can, according to education secretary Michael Gove's wishes, be taught in schools.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "whether they existed", ensure the context clearly indicates what "they" refers to. Clarity is crucial to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "whether they existed" if the referent of "they" is unclear or changes throughout the sentence. Redefine "they" or specify to reduce confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whether they existed" functions as a subordinate clause, typically introducing an element of doubt or inquiry regarding the past existence of a subject. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "whether they existed" is a grammatically sound subordinate clause used to express doubt or inquiry regarding past existence. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and offers real-world examples. Predominantly found in science and news media, it maintains a neutral register. While relatively infrequent, understanding its proper usage ensures clarity and precision in writing. Remember to clearly define "they" to avoid ambiguity and be mindful of its implications concerning a past timeframe.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did they actually exist

Uses "actually" to emphasize the surprising nature of their existence.

if they truly existed

Adds emphasis to the truthfulness of their existence.

if they were in existence

Replaces "existed" with "were in existence", emphasizing the state of being.

were they ever in existence

Combines "were they ever" with "in existence" for slightly increased formality.

if they were real

Focuses on the reality of their existence, rather than simply whether they existed.

if their existence was a reality

Focuses on the reality of their existence as a whole.

if they were present

Highlights their presence at a particular time, suggesting existence.

if their presence was factual

Focuses on the factual accuracy of their existence or presence.

if they had been around

An informal way to ask about their past existence or activity.

were they ever around

Directly questions if they ever were present at any point.

FAQs

How can I use "whether they existed" in a sentence?

Use "whether they existed" when you're questioning the past existence of something. For example, "Historians debated "whether they existed" as described in ancient texts or were simply mythical figures."

What's a more formal alternative to "whether they existed"?

A more formal alternative would be "whether their existence was substantiated". This emphasizes the verifiability of their existence.

Is it ever incorrect to use "whether they existed"?

It would be incorrect to use "whether they existed" if you're referring to something that currently exists. The phrase implies a past timeframe.

What's the difference between "whether they existed" and "if they existed"?

Both phrases are largely interchangeable, but "whether" is generally preferred when presenting two clear alternatives. "If they existed" is more common in hypothetical situations. For example, “We debated "whether they existed"” presents two sides, while “If they existed, they would have left traces” poses a condition.