The Words If and Whether
The Words If and Whether
(In this example, the yes/no question is "Did Janice unplug the iron?")
In whether/if...or...constructions.
Whether
In the following circumstances, whether should be used:
To present two alternatives (neither of which is a condition).
(In this example, the two alternatives are going and not going. Anna needs to know the
answer regardless of which is chosen.)
(This sentence is not grammatically wrong, but it does not mean the same as the one
above. In this example, Anna needs only to be told if the boss is going to Crowborough.)
After prepositions.
At this point, the flight attendant makes the decision on whether the passenger stays on
the aircraft.
If
Use if to introduce a condition (i.e., in a conditional sentence). In a conditional sentence, a
condition has to be satisfied before something occurs.
Examples:
Whether or Not
Very often, the or not is superfluous (i.e., not required). However, when whether or not means
regardless of whether, the or not part is required.
Examples: