Difference between revisions of "Language/English/Grammar/When-use-If-or-Whether"

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<span style="font-size:25px; font-weight:bold;color: black">When to use "whether" or "if" in English?</span>
<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.


==Use only "if" when:==
(In this example, the yes/no question is "Am I attending the event?")


===Using the conditional tense===
===or===
A sentence that can only be realized under certain conditions.
*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.  


*Bob didn’t know if Amanda was going away.
Note: Using whether is far more common.  It is certainly more formal.


==Use "whether" or "if" when==
==Use only "if" with:==
===one of the issues is induced but understood, as in an indirect question===


*Bob didn’t know whether Amanda was going away on Saturday.
===the conditional tense===
 
A sentence that can only be realized under certain conditions.
*Bob didn’t know if Amanda was going away on Saturday.
*Bob didn’t know if Amanda was going away.
 
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".


==Use only "whether" when==
==Use only "whether" when==
===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.
===we find a verb in the infinitive with "to"===


===Verb with "to"===
*Bob didn’t know whether to invite Amanda to the party.
*Bob didn’t know whether to invite Amanda to the party.


===we find a preposition===
=== With "or not" ===
 
* Whether or not you want me to, I am going to the party.
*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.
==Related Lessons==
* [[Language/English/Grammar/Difference-between-Mood-Tense-Voice|Difference between Mood Tense Voice]]
* [[Language/English/Grammar/Although-VS-Even-though|Although VS Even though]]
* [[Language/English/Grammar/How-to-Use-Have|How to Use Have]]
* [[Language/English/Grammar/REFLEXIVE-PRONOUNS|REFLEXIVE PRONOUNS]]
* [[Language/English/Grammar/Ask|Ask]]
* [[Language/English/Grammar/"Native-of"-Vs.-"Native-to"|"Native of" Vs. "Native to"]]
* [[Language/English/Grammar/CONJUNCTIONS-→-Contrast|CONJUNCTIONS → Contrast]]
* [[Language/English/Grammar/Adverbs-of-Manner|Adverbs of Manner]]
* [[Language/English/Grammar/Definite-Article|Definite Article]]
* [[Language/English/Grammar/How-Some-pointers-when-using-Adjectives|How Some pointers when using Adjectives]]

Latest revision as of 17:01, 26 February 2023

If-or-wether-in-english-polyglot-club.png

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

Use "if" or "whether" (Interchangeable):[edit | edit source]

Whether and if can be used interchangeably in the following circumstances:

When reporting yes/no questions.[edit | edit source]

  • 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?")

or[edit | edit source]

  • 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.

Use only "if" with:[edit | edit source]

the conditional tense[edit | edit source]

A sentence that can only be realized under certain conditions.

  • Bob didn’t know if Amanda was going away.

Use only "whether" when[edit | edit source]

Verb with "to"[edit | edit source]

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

With "or not"[edit | edit source]

  • Whether or not you want me to, I am going to the party.

Related Lessons[edit | edit source]

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