If and Whether, Part 2
2020-11-27
LRC
TXT
大字
小字
滚动
全页
1Today, we continue our discussion about "if" and "whether."
2Both words are conjunctions that can sometimes be used in place of each other.
3The word "whether" shows that there are two possibilities or choices for something.
4And sometimes the word "if" shares this meaning.
5For instance, you can say, "Please find out if my books have arrived" or "Please find out whether my books have arrived."
6Other times, only one of the words can be used.
7In Part 1 of this program, we talked about when "whether" must be used.
8On today's program, Part 2, we will talk about when "if" must be used.
9I will also explain when the two words are interchangeable.
10And lastly, I will tell you an easy way to remember which to choose.
11Let me start by talking about conditionals.
12Conditional sentences present a condition and a result.
13In other words, when A happens, B happens.
14We use "if" to express a condition. We cannot use "whether."
15 Listen to this example:
16If it rains, we will get wet.
17In this sentence, "If it rains" is the condition and "we will get wet" is the result.
18Here is another example:
19I would buy a car if I won the lottery.
20In this example, the condition is "if I won the lottery."
21The result is "I would buy a car."
22Notice that the condition comes in the second half of the sentence.
23This change in position does not affect the meaning.
24Again, the word "whether" cannot be used to express conditions.
25Next, let's talk about when "if" and "whether" are interchangeable.
26That means either word can be used with no change in meaning.
27When reporting yes or no questions, we can use "if" or "whether."
28Reported questions involve telling someone what another person has asked.
29Listen to two statements to see what I mean:
30He asked if I listen to music every night.
31He asked whether I listen to music every night.
32We can also use "if" or "whether" when asking indirect yes or no questions.
33An indirect question is one that is worded more politely than a direct question. Listen to the examples:
34Can you tell me if the train is coming soon?
35Can you tell me whether the train is coming soon?
36We can also use "if" or "whether" in statements to express doubt about which of two possibilities is true.
37In these cases, the word "or" is used. Listen to these statements:
38We are unsure if the deadline is Wednesday or Friday.
39We are unsure whether the deadline is Wednesday or Friday.
40As discussed in Part 1, there are some exceptions.
41For example, use only "whether" after prepositions and before infinitive verbs.
42You can read more about the exceptions in that program.
43Now, let's talk a little about noun clauses.
44In all of today's example sentences (except the conditionals), the words "if" and "whether" introduce noun clauses.
45A clause is a part of a sentence with its own subject and verb.
46Noun clauses act like nouns in sentences.
47Let's take a closer look at an example:
48We are unsure whether the deadline is Wednesday or Friday.
49In this example, the noun clause is "whether the deadline is Wednesday or Friday."
50Notice that the word "whether" introduces the noun clause.
51And the subject and verb of that clause are "the deadline" and "is."
52You can learn more about noun clauses on earlier Everyday Grammar programs.
53Well, that was a lot of information!
54So, how can you remember it all?
55The good news is that you do not have to.
56If you are ever in doubt about which word to choose, you can keep it simple.
57The best way to avoid confusion is this: Use "if" for conditionals and use "whether" when talking about two possibilities or choices.
58I'm Alice Bryant.
1Today, we continue our discussion about "if" and "whether." Both words are conjunctions that can sometimes be used in place of each other. 2The word "whether" shows that there are two possibilities or choices for something. And sometimes the word "if" shares this meaning. For instance, you can say, "Please find out if my books have arrived" or "Please find out whether my books have arrived." 3Other times, only one of the words can be used. 4In Part 1 of this program, we talked about when "whether" must be used. On today's program, Part 2, we will talk about when "if" must be used. I will also explain when the two words are interchangeable. And lastly, I will tell you an easy way to remember which to choose. 5Use 'if' in conditionals 6Let me start by talking about conditionals. 7Conditional sentences present a condition and a result. In other words, when A happens, B happens. 8We use "if" to express a condition. We cannot use "whether." Listen to this example: 9If it rains, we will get wet. 10In this sentence, "If it rains" is the condition and "we will get wet" is the result. 11Here is another example: 12I would buy a car if I won the lottery. 13In this example, the condition is "if I won the lottery." The result is "I would buy a car." Notice that the condition comes in the second half of the sentence. This change in position does not affect the meaning. 14Again, the word "whether" cannot be used to express conditions. 15Use either word 16Next, let's talk about when "if" and "whether" are interchangeable. That means either word can be used with no change in meaning. 17When reporting yes or no questions, we can use "if" or "whether." Reported questions involve telling someone what another person has asked. Listen to two statements to see what I mean: 18He asked if I listen to music every night. 19He asked whether I listen to music every night. 20We can also use "if" or "whether" when asking indirect yes or no questions. An indirect question is one that is worded more politely than a direct question. Listen to the examples: 21Can you tell me if the train is coming soon? 22Can you tell me whether the train is coming soon? 23We can also use "if" or "whether" in statements to express doubt about which of two possibilities is true. In these cases, the word "or" is used. Listen to these statements: 24We are unsure if the deadline is Wednesday or Friday. 25We are unsure whether the deadline is Wednesday or Friday. 26As discussed in Part 1, there are some exceptions. For example, use only "whether" after prepositions and before infinitive verbs. You can read more about the exceptions in that program. 27Understand noun clauses 28Now, let's talk a little about noun clauses. 29In all of today's example sentences (except the conditionals), the words "if" and "whether" introduce noun clauses. 30A clause is a part of a sentence with its own subject and verb. Noun clauses act like nouns in sentences. 31Let's take a closer look at an example: 32We are unsure whether the deadline is Wednesday or Friday. 33In this example, the noun clause is "whether the deadline is Wednesday or Friday." Notice that the word "whether" introduces the noun clause. And the subject and verb of that clause are "the deadline" and "is." 34You can learn more about noun clauses on earlier Everyday Grammar programs. 35How to remember 36Well, that was a lot of information! So, how can you remember it all? The good news is that you do not have to. 37If you are ever in doubt about which word to choose, you can keep it simple. The best way to avoid confusion is this: Use "if" for conditionals and use "whether" when talking about two possibilities or choices. 38I'm Alice Bryant. 39Alice Bryant wrote this story for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. 40________________________________________________________________ 41Words in This Story 42interchangeable - adj. capable of being used in place of each other 43conjunction - n. a word that joins together sentences or clauses 44polite - adj. socially correct or proper 45doubt - n. a feeling of being uncertain or unsure about something 46introduce - v. to bring something into use or operation for the first time 47circumstance - n. a condition or fact that affects a situation 48clause - n. a part of a sentence that has its own subject and verb