Whether introduces an unresolved choice, such as hiring a van or not. In many ordinary indirect yes/no questions, both if and whether work: Do you know if/whether the ferry runs?

The idea

Use whether, not if, before to + verb, after a preposition such as on, and immediately before or not. With if, put or not at the end: Tell me if you need a receipt or not.

Examples

  • We haven't decided whether to hire a van.
  • It depends on whether the roads are clear.
  • I can't tell whether the mark is ink or paint.
  • We discussed whether the roof needs repairs.
  • Please tell me whether or not you need a receipt.
  • Do you know if the ferry runs in winter?

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Watch out

Do not mark if wrong in every indirect question. Keep statement word order after either connector. Conditional if in I'll wait if it rains has a different job; replacing it with whether changes the construction.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the correct option. We haven't decided ___ to hire a van. (whether / if)

    Show answer or example answer

    whether

    Before the infinitive to hire, choose whether. If to hire is not the standard construction.

  2. Choose the correct option. It depends on ___ the roads are clear. (whether / if)

    Show answer or example answer

    whether

    After preposition on, standard usage requires whether. The following clause keeps the roads are order.

  3. Choose the correct option. Please tell me ___ or not you need a receipt. (whether / if)

    Show answer or example answer

    whether

    Directly before or not, use whether. With if, the phrase or not would need to follow the complete clause.

Use it today

Write an undecided action with whether to, a dependency with depends on whether, and a request with whether or not. Rewrite the request using if and move or not to the end.