Question
Updated on
9 Oct 2019
- Simplified Chinese (China)
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English (US)
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Question about English (US)
It is unknown whether it was the rebels that fomented the political unrest. Does this sound natural?
It is unknown whether it was the rebels that fomented the political unrest. Does this sound natural?
Answers
9 Oct 2019
Featured answer
- English (US)
Natural
I might substitute ‘if’ for ‘whether’ because I feel like whether implies a choice. Like: ‘...whether it was the rebels or the fascists...’
If I said it with the word ‘if’ it would imply a singular unknown regarding the rebels guilt in the matter.
My interpretation may be technically wrong and I bet your passage is grammatically correct, so take my point with a grain of salt. Others here may have more insight.
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- English (US)
Natural
I might substitute ‘if’ for ‘whether’ because I feel like whether implies a choice. Like: ‘...whether it was the rebels or the fascists...’
If I said it with the word ‘if’ it would imply a singular unknown regarding the rebels guilt in the matter.
My interpretation may be technically wrong and I bet your passage is grammatically correct, so take my point with a grain of salt. Others here may have more insight.
Was this answer helpful?
- Simplified Chinese (China)
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