0

Whether in Los Angeles or in New York, house prices are very high.

Is this sentence correct? Can "Whether" be followed by a preposition?

If not, if I want to mention the two cities, what word or phrase should I use?

12
  • Be it in Los Angeles or New York, house prices are very high.
    – Sam
    Commented Nov 23, 2022 at 15:31
  • House prices are very high, whether it is in Los Angeles or New York.
    – Sam
    Commented Nov 23, 2022 at 15:36
  • It's acceptable. You could also say "Whether it is / it be in Los Angeles or in New York, house prices are very high.
    – BillJ
    Commented Nov 23, 2022 at 15:36
  • I guess generally a clause needs to follow "whether“, but then we can kinda omit "it is", then it reaches the current form.
    – Gqqnbig
    Commented Nov 23, 2022 at 15:40
  • Whether is also used in other sense, it might be misinterpreted.
    – Sam
    Commented Nov 23, 2022 at 15:48

1 Answer 1

0

I have to answer my own question.

In Oxford English Dictionary, 8a has examples

Whether it is fair, or whether it is wet, he pursues his labours with equal success.

For Loyalty is still the same, Whether it win or lose the Game.

In this sense, a complete sentence must follow "whether".

Then in the sense of 8b, the sentences can have ellipsis. In this case "whether" is often virtually equivalent to "either".

William, whether by accident or by design, was not admitted. (preposition)

The increase in the number of officials.., which should give pause to every man, whether Liberal or Tory. (noun)

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .