[Grammar] People have different opinions whether this

[Boris Tatarenko]

People have different opinions whether this tendency is a positive or a negative development.

I believe this sentence is grammatically correct but the question is: does it sound natural? What would you say and write in a formal essay?

Thanks.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

People have different opinions about [or as to or concerning] whether this tendency is a positive or a negative development.

I believe this sentence is grammatically correct, but the question is: does it sound natural? What would you say and write in a formal essay?

Thanks.

1. Put something between "opinions" and "whether."

2. You can delete "tendency," since the sentence will mean the same thing without it.

3. For the same reason, ylso might also delete "or negative." You've already said that people disagree on whether it's positive, so "or negative" will be understood.

4. It's basically fine but a little wonky. Formal essays are most persuasive when they use direct language. So you might look for some shorter words that have the same meanings as some of the big words you're using. (That's just an editorial suggestion. Your grammar and syntax, other than that one correction in red, are very good.)