If / Whether
Is it a condition or an alternative?
A Condition vs. an Alternative
| A CONDITION | AN ALTERNATIVE |
|---|---|
In many cases, if and whether can be used interchangeably without affecting the meaning. Below are some subtle differences in formal use. Use if to indicate one condition that requires an action. If X is true, then do Y. |
Use whether to indicate two conditions, alternates, that require an action: yes or no, X or Y. If X or Y is true, then do Z. (Note that both if or whether are commonly used in an embedded question.) |
Let me know if you get cell phone reception. (one condition) |
Let me know if / whether you can get cell phone reception. (yes or no – either condition) |
He asked me if I had an idea. (one condition) |
He asked me if / whether I had an idea or a plan. (either condition) |
Two Alternatives Options
| IF | WHETHER |
|---|---|
If – is less commonly used when both sides of an alternative are given. |
Whether – is more commonly used when alternatives are stated. |
He asked me if my phone was receiving cell service or not. (informal) |
He asked me whether my phone was receiving cell service or not. |
He asked me if I was using ATT or Verizon mobile service. (informal) |
He asked me whether I was using ATT or Verizon mobile service. |
After a Preposition
| VERB + PREP + IF — NOT USED | VERB + PREP +WHETHER |
|---|---|
If – is NOT USED after a verb + preposition phrase introducing an alternative. |
Whether – is used after a verb + preposition phrase introducing an alternative. |
*I was concerned about if we could get cell phone reception. (NOT used) |
I was concerned about whether we could get cell phone reception. |
*We were interested in if we could receive cell service on the mountain top. (NOT used) |
We were interested in whether we could receive cell service on the mountain top. |
*We're not sure about if a cell phone would work there. (NOT used) |
We're not sure about whether a cell phone would work there. |
*Yellow highlighted words are examples of incorrect usage.
Before an Infinitive
| IF | WHETHER |
|---|---|
If – is NOT USED before an infinitive phrase introducing an alternative. |
Whether – is sometimes used before an infinitive phrase introducing alternatives. |
*I can't decide if to move to the right or to the left. (NOT used) |
I can't decide whether to move to the right or to the left. |
*It was unclear if to stand in the middle of the room or near the window.(NOT used) |
It was unclear whether to stand in the middle of the room or near the window. |
In Indirect / Reported Questions
| IF | WHETHER |
|---|---|
If – is commonly used in indirect questions. Some formal usage restricts if to introducing conditional clauses. |
Whether – is commonly used in indirect questions to introduce an alternative (whether or not) |
I DON'T KNOW IF… I don't know if my cell phone will work here. |
I DON'T KNOW WHETHER… I don't know whether my phone will work here. I don't know whether my cell phone will work if I use it here.
|
DO YOU KNOW IF… Do you know if there is cell phone service in Yosemite Park?
|
DO YOU KNOW WHETHER… Do you know whether there is cell phone service in Yosemite Park? Do you know whether there is cell phone service if standing in Yosemite?
|
Formal Contexts
| IF | WHETHER |
|---|---|
If – is not commonly used in formal contexts when introducing an alternative clause. (This is an unusual, old rule that is still included in college English entrance exams.) |
Whether (or not) introducing an alternative clause is used both formally and informally. |
*The President declined to say if he would give up his personal Blackberry. (formal context) |
The President declined to say whether he would give up his personal Blackberry. |
*The Congressman was uncertain if the health bill would pass. (formal context) |
The Congressman was uncertain whether the health bill would pass. |
*We discussed if we would lay off employees. |
We discussed whether we would lay off employees. |
*The members hadn't settled on if they would accept the offer. |
The members hadn't settled on whether they would accept the offer. |
Initial Sentence Position
| IF | WHETHER |
|---|---|
If – is not used in a clause at the beginning of a sentence when introducing an alternative. (This is not true for conditional clauses.) |
Whether – is more commonly used in a clause at the beginning of a sentence when introducing an alternative (whether or not). |
If the battery is charged is my biggest concern. (NOT used) |
Whether the battery is charged is my biggest concern. (alternative) |
If my cell phone works there is a mystery to me. (NOT used) |
Whether my cell phone works there is a mystery to me. (alternative) |
Practice
Signs at the entrance to a beach in Greece
Beach Rules
- Select the answer that best completes the sentence.
- Then check your answer by clicking the check button to the right.