If and Whether, Part 1
2020-11-20
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1Have you ever been unsure about when to use "if" and when to use "whether"? If so, you are not alone.
2There is a reason these words can be tricky: They are sometimes interchangeable.
3In some cases, either word can be used with no difference in meaning.
4For instance, you can say, "I don't know whether she left yet" or "I don't know if she left yet."
5However, in other cases, "if" and "whether" have different meanings or uses.
6You have to choose one or the other.
7Both "if" and "whether" are conjunctions - words that connect two or more sentences or clauses.
8And a lot is involved in their grammar, so I will cover this subject in two programs.
9Today's program centers on when you must use "whether" and cannot use "if."
10The word "whether" signals that there are only two possibilities.
11Keep that in mind throughout today's program.
12Let's start with infinitive verbs.
13Before infinitives, use only the word "whether," not the word "if."
14An infinitive is the most basic form of a verb.
15In American English, the infinitive means to + verb. "To share" and "to get" are some examples.
16Listen to a sentence that contains the word "whether" followed by an infinitive verb:
17My son got his favorite candy on Halloween.
18He cannot decide whether to share some with his friends.
19The infinitive verb after "whether" here is "to share."
20Again, do not use "if" before infinitives.
21For example, do not say, "He cannot decide if to share some with his friends."
22Here is another example. Listen for the infinitive verb after "whether":
23I am wondering whether to get a book or magazine to read.
24The infinitive following "whether" here is "to get."
25Next, let's talk about prepositions.
26After prepositions, use the word "whether."
27Common prepositions before "whether" include "about" and "in."
28In this next example, pay attention for "whether" and the preposition that comes before it:
29Can we talk about whether you are coming for the holiday?
30Here, the preposition "about" comes before "whether."
31Again, do not use "if" after a preposition.
32For instance, avoid saying, "Can we talk about if you are coming for the holiday?"
33Here is another example. Listen for the preposition and the word "whether," which follows it:
34Teachers are very interested in whether schools will reopen soon.
35Here, the preposition "in" comes before "whether." Because of this, the word "if" cannot be used.
36Next let's move to the phrase "or not."
37We use "whether," not "if," directly before the words "or not."
38In other words, the phrase "whether or not" is correct. The phrase "if or not" is incorrect.
39Listen to an example to see what I mean. Take note that the word "whether" is immediately followed by "or not":
40I called to find out whether or not you are ok.
41Note that use of "or not" phrase is not required and does not affect meaning.
42It is also possible to put those words at the end of the sentence. Here is an example:
43I called to find out whether you are ok or not.
44Just remember that the words "or not" are unneeded and do not change the meaning.
45However, there is one exception to that.
46In some situations, "whether or not" can mean "regardless of whether." For this meaning, you must include the words "or not."
47Listen to an example of how it is used:
48Cassy is my friend whether Sam likes it or not.
49This means that the speaker is not considering Sam's opinion on the friendship.
50And finally, we use only the word "whether" - not "if" - when it introduces a noun clause that is also the sentence subject. Here is an example:
51Whether he wins is not my concern.
52The noun clause in this sentence is "Whether he wins" and it is the subject of the sentence.
53We would not say, "If he wins is not my concern."
54The word "if" does not begin sentence subjects.
55When "if" begins a sentence, it introduces a conditional and is not part of the subject.
56That's our program for this week. Join us again soon for Part 2.
57We will talk about when "if" must be used and when "whether" and "if" are interchangeable.
58I will also show you an easy way to remember which one to choose!
59I'm Alice Bryant.
1Have you ever been unsure about when to use "if" and when to use "whether"? If so, you are not alone. There is a reason these words can be tricky: They are sometimes interchangeable. 2In some cases, either word can be used with no difference in meaning. For instance, you can say, "I don't know whether she left yet" or "I don't know if she left yet."However, in other cases, "if" and "whether" have different meanings or uses. You have to choose one or the other. 3Both "if" and "whether" are conjunctions - words that connect two or more sentences or clauses. And a lot is involved in their grammar, so I will cover this subject in two programs. Today's program centers on when you must use "whether" and cannot use "if." 4The word "whether" signals that there are only two possibilities. Keep that in mind throughout today's program. 5Before infinitives 6Let's start with infinitive verbs. 7Before infinitives, use only the word "whether," not the word "if." 8An infinitive is the most basic form of a verb. In American English, the infinitive means to + verb. "To share" and "to get" are some examples. 9Listen to a sentence that contains the word "whether" followed by an infinitive verb: 10My son got his favorite candy on Halloween. He cannot decide whether to share some with his friends. 11The infinitive verb after "whether" here is "to share." Again, do not use "if" before infinitives. For example, do not say, "He cannot decide if to share some with his friends." 12Here is another example. Listen for the infinitive verb after "whether": 13I am wondering whether to get a book or magazine to read. 14The infinitive following "whether" here is "to get." 15After prepositions 16Next, let's talk about prepositions. 17After prepositions, use the word "whether." Common prepositions before "whether" include "about" and "in." 18In this next example, pay attention for "whether" and the preposition that comes before it: 19Can we talk about whether you are coming for the holiday? 20Here, the preposition "about" comes before "whether." Again, do not use "if" after a preposition. For instance, avoid saying, "Can we talk about if you are coming for the holiday?" 21Here is another example. Listen for the preposition and the word "whether," which follows it: 22Teachers are very interested in whether schools will reopen soon. 23Here, the preposition "in" comes before "whether." Because of this, the word "if" cannot be used. 24Before 'or not' 25Next let's move to the phrase "or not." 26We use "whether," not "if," directly before the words "or not." 27In other words, the phrase "whether or not" is correct. The phrase "if or not" is incorrect. 28Listen to an example to see what I mean. Take note that the word "whether" is immediately followed by "or not": 29I called to find out whether or not you are ok. 30Note that use of "or not" phrase is not required and does not affect meaning. 31It is also possible to put those words at the end of the sentence. Here is an example: 32I called to find out whether you are ok or not. 33Just remember that the words "or not" are unneeded and do not change the meaning. 34'Regardless of whether' 35However, there is one exception to that. 36In some situations, "whether or not" can mean "regardless of whether." For this meaning, you must include the words "or not." 37Listen to an example of how it is used: 38Cassy is my friend whether Sam likes it or not. 39This means that the speaker is not considering Sam's opinion on the friendship. 40At start of subjects 41And finally, we use only the word "whether" - not "if" - when it introduces a noun clause that is also the sentence subject. Here is an example: 42Whether he wins is not my concern. 43The noun clause in this sentence is "Whether he wins" and it is the subject of the sentence. 44We would not say, "If he wins is not my concern." The word "if" does not begin sentence subjects. When "if" begins a sentence, it introduces a conditional and is not part of the subject. 45That's our program for this week. Join us again soon for Part 2. We will talk about when "if" must be used and when "whether" and "if" are interchangeable. 46I will also show you an easy way to remember which one to choose! 47I'm Alice Bryant. 48Alice Bryant wrote this story for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. 49____________________________________________________________ 50Words in This Story 51interchangeable - adj. capable of being used in place of each other 52clause - n. a part of a sentence that has its own subject and verb 53candy - n. a sweet snack made with sugar or chocolate 54phrase - n. a group of two or more words that usually forms a complete sentence 55regardless (of) - adv. without being stopped or affected by something 56introduce - v. to bring something into use or operation for the first time