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If / WhetherWanting cell service on a mountain location

Is it a condition or an alternative?

 

 

 

In many cases, if and whether can be used interchangeably without affecting the meaning.  Below are some subtle differences in formal use.

 

 

A CONDITION AN ALTERNATIVE

Use if to indicate one condtion 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)

Solution - lightbulb    Pop-Q 8/9/2009 

 

 

Both Alternatives Given
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.

 

 

cell reception on a beach

 

 

 

 

 

After a Preposition
IF 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. 

 

 

 

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.

 

Cell Phones work here

 

 

 

 

 

In Indirect 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 my cell phone will work here. 

I don't know whether my phone will work here.
STATEMENT: I don't know QUESTION: Will my phone work here?

I don't know whether my cell phone will work if I use it here.
       (alternative - whether or not)                           (condition)

Do you know if there is cell phone service in Yosemite Park?  

 

 

Do you know whether there is cell phone service in Yosemite Park?
STATEMENT: Do you know QUESTION: Is there cell phone service in Yosemite?

Do you know whether there is cell phone service if standing in Yosemite?
                     (alternative - whether or not)                      (condition)

 

 

 

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)
My friend didn't say if she would give up her cell phone.   (informal 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)
Bob was uncertain if his if his son would pass the 5th grade.   (informal 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.

 

 

 

In an Initial Clause
IF WHETHER

If – is not used in a clause at the beginning of a sentence when introducing an alternative (but 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)
My biggest concern is if the battery is charged.  (alternative - less commonly used)
If the battery is charged, my phone works well.  (condition - commonly used)

Whether the battery is charged is my biggest concern. (alternative)
My biggest concern is whether the battery is charged.  (alternative)
Whether or not the battery is charged my phone doesn't work. (no condition exists - even if)
 

If my cell phone works there is a mystery to me.  (NOT used)
It is a mystery to me if my cell phone works there.  (alternative - less commonly used)
If my cell phone works there, I'll be surprised.  (condition - commonly used)

Whether my cell phone works there is a mystery to me. (alternative)
It is a mystery to me whether my cell phone works there.  (alternative)
Whether or not my cell phone works there, I won't accept calls. (no condition exists - even if)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Practice

No Dogs      Beach
Signs at the entrance to a beach in Crete, Greece
Beach Rules 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Select the answer that best completes the sentence.
  2. Then, check your answer by clicking the check button to the right.

 

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