whether to perform

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "whether to perform" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing options or decisions regarding an action or task that may or may not be carried out. Example: "The committee is debating whether to perform the experiment this year or postpone it until next year."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fassel said doctors have not decided whether to perform surgery or simply rest it.

The New York Times - Sports

The question of whether to perform was settled early on: the consensus was that they must.

The New York Times - Arts

They said yesterday that there had been no decision on whether to perform an autopsy.

The New York Times

Whether to perform a stentless aortic valve replacement (AVR) is not well established.

The Annals of Thoracic Surgery

These days she is considering whether to perform on her own, which she has not done for years.

The New York Times

Technical effects become decorative, momentum falters and the actors seem unsure whether to perform to cameras or to auditorium.

The Guardian

To assess whether to perform routine cytogenetic and Y chromosome microdeletion screening on all infertile male patients.

Fertility and Sterility

A final decision by the Philharmonic on whether to perform in North Korea after its China tour merits the most careful consideration.

The New York Times

Instead, people assisting victims were urged to check for signs of circulation like breathing, coughing or movement when deciding whether to perform CPR.

The New York Times

The second obstacle is the delay while the staff of a facility makes a decision about treatment — usually whether to perform a Cesarean section — and implements it.

The New Yorker

So it was perhaps appropriate that the question of whether to perform the work became a contentious one for the national youth symphony in this Central Asian country.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "whether to perform", ensure the context clearly indicates who is making the decision and what action is being considered. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the subject and object of the performance.

Common error

Avoid using "whether to perform" without specifying who or what is performing the action. For instance, instead of "It was unclear whether to perform", specify "It was unclear whether the surgeon should perform the operation."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whether to perform" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing a conditional decision or a question of action. It is typically used to introduce an alternative in a decision-making process, as confirmed by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "whether to perform" is a common and grammatically sound infinitive phrase used to express a decision point regarding the execution of an action. Analysis by Ludwig confirms its validity and usability. It is frequently employed in contexts such as science, news, and formal business, indicating a neutral to professional register. To ensure clarity, it's crucial to specify who or what is performing the action. Alternatives like "if to carry out" or "deciding on execution" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. With its widespread usage and clear grammatical structure, "whether to perform" remains a reliable choice for expressing conditional decisions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if to carry out

Replaces "whether" with "if" and uses the phrasal verb "carry out" instead of "perform".

deciding on execution

Focuses on the decision regarding the execution of something rather than the act of performing itself.

determining if we should execute

More explicit about who is making the determination and uses "execute" instead of "perform".

assessing the need for action

Shifts the focus to evaluating the necessity of taking action.

evaluating the option of performing

Emphasizes the evaluation process before making a decision about performing something.

considering implementation

Focuses on the act of implementation, which is a specific type of performance.

weighing up the option to act

Introduces the idea of carefully considering or weighing options.

pondering the possibility of action

Uses "pondering" to suggest a more thoughtful consideration.

deliberating on the course of action

Highlights the deliberation or careful consideration of the action.

contemplating whether action is warranted

Adds the element of determining if the action is justified or necessary.

FAQs

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

The phrase "whether to perform" is used to express a decision point about carrying out an action. For example, "The doctor considered "whether to perform surgery" or try a less invasive treatment first."

What are some alternatives to "whether to perform"?

Alternatives include phrases like "if to carry out", "deciding on execution", or "determining if we should execute", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "whether to perform"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "whether to perform" is a standard infinitive phrase used to express a decision or consideration regarding an action, as Ludwig AI confirms.

What's the difference between "whether to perform" and "whether to do"?

"Whether to do" is more general, while "whether to perform" implies a specific action, task, or function. For instance, you might ask "Whether to do the laundry", but "whether to perform the surgery" is more precise.