Editing Language/English/Grammar/When-use-If-or-Whether

When to use "whether" or "if" in English?

We must use "if" in a sentence to the conditional (A sentence that can only be realized under certain conditions):

Bob didn’t know if Amanda was going away.

You must use "if" when you show that there are only two possible outcomes:

Bob didn’t know whether Amanda was staying in the city or going to the country side for the weekend.

You can use either "whether" or "if" when:
... one of the issues is induced but understood, as in an indirect question:

Bob didn’t know whether Amanda was going away on Saturday.

Bob didn’t know if Amanda was going away on Saturday.

In this example, the term "or not" is induced. So, Amanda might not leave on Saturday. Since the second option does not need to be stated, you can use either "if" or "if".

Only "whether" can be used when:

... we find a verb in the infinitive with "to":

Bob didn’t know whether to invite Amanda to the party.

... we find a preposition:

Bob wanted to have a conversation with Amanda about whether she was away for the weekend.

... the word "or" is used:

Bob didn’t know whether to call or text to find out about her plans.

... when the part of the sentence beginning with the conditional is the subject of the sentence:

Whether Amanda could come or not, Bob was still going to throw the party, even if it was for Amanda's birthday.
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-[[File:if-or-wether-in-english-polyglot-club.png|thumb]]
+When to use "whether" or "if" in English?
-<span style="font-size:25px; font-weight:bold;color: black">When to use "whether" or "if" in English?</span>
-==Use "if" or "whether" (Interchangeable):==
-'''Whether''' and '''if''' can be used interchangeably in the following circumstances:
-===When reporting yes/no questions.===
-*I am not sure whether I will be attending the event.
-*I am not sure if I will be attending the event.
-(In this example, the yes/no question is "Am I attending the event?")
+We must use "if" in a sentence to the conditional (A sentence that can only be realized under certain conditions):
-===or===
+Bob didn’t know if Amanda was going away.
-*I would like to know whether it is a true story or fabricated.
-*I would like to know if it is a true story or fabricated.
-Note: Using whether is far more common.  It is certainly more formal.
+You must use "if" when you show that there are only two possible outcomes:
-==Use only "if" with:==
+Bob didn’t know whether Amanda was staying in the city or going to the country side for the weekend.
-===the conditional tense===
+You can use either "whether" or "if" when:
-A sentence that can only be realized under certain conditions.
+... one of the issues is induced but understood, as in an indirect question:
-*Bob didn’t know if Amanda was going away.
-==Use only "whether" when==
+Bob didn’t know whether Amanda was going away on Saturday.
-===Verb with "to"===
+Bob didn’t know if Amanda was going away on Saturday.
-*Bob didn’t know whether to invite Amanda to the party.
-=== With "or not" ===
+In this example, the term "or not" is induced. So, Amanda might not leave on Saturday. Since the second option does not need to be stated, you can use either "if" or "if".
-* Whether or not you want me to, I am going to the party.
-==Related Lessons==
+Only "whether" can be used when:
-* [[Language/English/Grammar/Difference-between-Mood-Tense-Voice|Difference between Mood Tense Voice]]
-* [[Language/English/Grammar/Although-VS-Even-though|Although VS Even though]]
+... we find a verb in the infinitive with "to":
-* [[Language/English/Grammar/How-to-Use-Have|How to Use Have]]
-* [[Language/English/Grammar/REFLEXIVE-PRONOUNS|REFLEXIVE PRONOUNS]]
+Bob didn’t know whether to invite Amanda to the party.
-* [[Language/English/Grammar/Ask|Ask]]
-* [[Language/English/Grammar/"Native-of"-Vs.-"Native-to"|"Native of" Vs. "Native to"]]
+... we find a preposition:
-* [[Language/English/Grammar/CONJUNCTIONS-→-Contrast|CONJUNCTIONS → Contrast]]
-* [[Language/English/Grammar/Adverbs-of-Manner|Adverbs of Manner]]
+Bob wanted to have a conversation with Amanda about whether she was away for the weekend.
-* [[Language/English/Grammar/Definite-Article|Definite Article]]
-* [[Language/English/Grammar/How-Some-pointers-when-using-Adjectives|How Some pointers when using Adjectives]]
+... the word "or" is used:
+Bob didn’t know whether to call or text to find out about her plans.
+... when the part of the sentence beginning with the conditional is the subject of the sentence:
+Whether Amanda could come or not, Bob was still going to throw the party, even if it was for Amanda's birthday.