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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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whether which

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

'whether which' is not correct and not usable in written English.
If you are attempting to ask a question, you can use 'whether' on its own. For example, "I'm not sure whether I'll attend the event."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Whether which of the competing effects is influencing more the hopping transport properties is the focus of our ongoing research.

Since the ANOVA leaded to a conclusion that there was evidence that the group means differ, it was investigated whether which of the means were different.

It is an important and difficult task in model analysis of traffic engineering to fit with the general distribution or test data whether which fit the distribution or not via PH distribution.

Although purified b-glucan acts as a potent adjuvant for the induction of IL-23 producing DCs and TH-17 priming [26], the structural complexity and differential cellular composition of various fungi makes it difficult to predict whether, which, and how common molecular patterns in cell wall of different fungi link innate sensing by DCs with TH-17 pathway induction.

Science

Plosone

31 The objects used for temporary contraception have their own potency to affect the body's functioning, the perceptions of which influence usage decisions (eg, whether, which, how long?).

Science

BMJ Open

Moreover, we have compared the effects of inverse and positive correlation and whether which model informs more about the disease state (Table 5).

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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

It remains to be seen whether Chelsea, which has initiated numerous trends, has started another one.

News & Media

The New York Times

I wonder whether Step (which is even better) will get into the top 30.

News & Media

The Guardian

It is not clear whether China and Russia, which have resisted sanctions in the past, would go along.

News & Media

The New York Times

The investigation has also focused on whether Soundview, which Mr. Espada still serves as chief executive, has misappropriated money.

News & Media

The New York Times

It was unclear whether Salzgitter, which is involved in engine production, would suspend production on Wednesday as planned.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you intend to express a choice or alternative, use "whether" alone, or rephrase to include "which" in a grammatically correct manner such as "depending on which" or "no matter which."

Common error

Avoid combining "whether" and "which" directly. This construction is generally incorrect. Instead, choose either "whether" to indicate a binary choice or rephrase using "which" for selections from a set of options.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

77%

Authority and reliability

1.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whether which" attempts to combine two distinct conjunctions improperly. "Whether" introduces alternatives, while "which" seeks selection from a range. Ludwig AI confirms this is incorrect and offers alternative phrasing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

70%

Wiki

20%

News & Media

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "whether which" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its incorrectness, suggesting it's an improper combination of conjunctions with distinct functions. Although examples exist across diverse sources, including scientific articles and wikis, its rare frequency and grammatical issues make it unsuitable for formal writing. Instead, consider using alternatives like "whether or not", "depending on which", or rephrasing your sentence for clarity and correctness.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "whether" and "which" in a sentence?

Use "whether" to present two alternatives. For example, "I don't know "whether to go" or stay". Use "which" when selecting from a list of options, such as "which option is best".

What phrases can I use instead of "whether which"?

Consider alternatives like "whether or not" for binary choices or "depending on which" when the choice affects the outcome.

Is it ever correct to use "whether which" in formal writing?

No, the phrase "whether which" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more precise phrasing.

What is the difference between "whether" and "which"?

"Whether" introduces alternatives, while "which" is used to select one or more items from a group. For instance, "I wonder "whether it will rain"" versus "which day is best for a picnic".

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Source & Trust

77%

Authority and reliability

1.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: