Revise this sentence please?

Question

I need help making this fragment a sentence for my essay, but how to do it?

But whether the government has or should have the ability to enforce some laws that would directly affect their freedoms; for example, temperance

The question being asked its "Reform movements in the United States sought to expand democratic ideals." Asses the validity of this statement with specific reference to the years 1825-1850.

Answer 1

Your problem is with the "but whether." Those words indicate that there is something more to come. For instance, you could say:

"But whether the government has or should have the ability to enforce some laws that would directly affect their freedoms is debatable. Take for example temperance."

Answer 2

Temperance is the issue and it deals with whether the government has or should have the ability to enforce some laws that would directly affect peoples' freedoms.

Answer 3

But the question is
or
The court case challenged
whether the government has or should have the ability to enforce some laws that would directly affect their freedoms; for example, temperance

Answer 4

But whether or not the government has or should have the ability to enforce some laws that would directly affect their freedoms, for example temperance,....(depends on...)?

you need to finish it. When you use the word "whether" you need to include a subordinate clause that explains what "whether" depends on...?

Answer 5

I think we need to know more about your essay before we can help you; there doesn't seem to be enough info here.