whether

IPA/ˈweðə(r)/
KK[wˈɛðɚ]IPA/ˈweðər/

whether — conjunction

1. used before a clause that gives two possible choices when you are not sure which

1.conjunctionB1
Definition

used before a clause that gives two possible choices when you are not sure which one is correct or will happen — for example, asking whether the bus has already passed or is still on its way.

Example

Gabriel asked whether the night train to Kaohsiung had already departed.

whether + past-tense clause reporting a question

Dahlia could not decide whether to accept the scholarship offer from National Taiwan University.

whether + to-infinitive pattern

Common collocations
  • ask whether
  • know whether
  • decide whether
  • wonder whether
  • see whether
  • doubt whether
Synonyms
  • if

    more common in everyday speech and conditional sentences, but cannot be used before to-infinitives or directly before 'or not'

  • whether or not

    emphatic form that stresses the possibility of both alternatives, often placed at the end of the clause

Grammar Patterns

whether + clause

whether + to-infinitive

whether...or not

whether...or...

Usage Note

In formal writing, 'whether' is preferred over 'if' for introducing indirect yes-no questions. When an infinitive follows, only 'whether' can be used — 'if' is ungrammatical before a to-infinitive.

Common Mistakes

I wonder whether if he likes the gift.
I wonder whether he likes the gift.
Using 'whether' and 'if' together is redundant; choose one.
She asked me whether do I want coffee or tea.
She asked me whether I want coffee or tea.
Do not invert the subject and verb after 'whether'; keep statement word order.
I do not know weather the flight is delayed.
I do not know whether the flight is delayed.
'whether' is a conjunction; 'weather' refers to rain, sunshine, temperature.

2. indicates that a fact or event stays true, or happens, no matter which of two op

2.conjunctionB1
Definition

indicates that a fact or event stays true, or happens, no matter which of two opposite alternatives is the case — for instance, a train running on schedule regardless of weather conditions.

Example

Whether you pick the mountain trail or the coastal path, the view is wonderful.

whether...or... + same result

The concert will take place whether it rains or the sun is out.

whether + opposite pairs

Common collocations
  • whether...or not
  • whether + A or B
Synonyms
  • no matter if

    more informal and less common; usually introduces a single condition rather than two clear alternatives

  • regardless of whether

    more formal and wordy; used in academic or legal writing

Grammar Patterns

whether...or...

whether + clause + or not

Usage Note

This sense differs from sense 1 in that the outcome does not depend on which alternative is true. The main clause states a fact that is unaffected by the alternatives introduced by 'whether'.

Common Mistakes

Whether it rains or it does not rain, I will go to the park.
Whether it rains or not, I will go to the park.
Avoid repeating the full verb phrase; use the shorter 'or not' instead.
If you come or you stay home, we will have fun.
Whether you come or stay home, we will have fun.
Use 'whether' (not 'if') when the main clause is true in both cases.

whether — pronoun

Synonym discussion

Sense: conjunction/1

Both 'if' and 'whether' can introduce indirect yes-no questions: 'I asked if/whether she was coming.' However, 'whether' is the more formal choice and is preferred in academic and professional writing. Crucially, only 'whether' can be followed by a to-infinitive ('I cannot decide whether to go'), and only 'whether' appears directly before 'or not' in standard usage ('I do not know whether or not he agrees'). 'If' has the additional role of introducing conditional clauses ('If it rains, we stay home'), a function that 'whether' cannot perform. 'Whether...or not' is the emphatic form and signals that both alternatives have been considered. For example: 'Please confirm whether you will attend or not' is more precise and formal than 'Please confirm if you will attend.'

if ↗whether ↗whether...or not

Common collocations

Phrases

  • whether or not
  • ask whether
  • know whether
  • decide whether
  • determine whether
  • check whether
  • wonder whether
  • doubt whether
  • whether...or...

Etymology

Proto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Old English 'hwæþer' ('which of two'), from Proto-Germanic '*hwaþeraz', a comparative form built on the interrogative base '*hwa-' ('who, what'). Related to 'which' and 'what'. The sense of introducing alternatives or doubt developed already in Old English, while the pronoun uses ('which of the two') were also present from the earliest records but have largely been replaced by 'which' and 'whichever' in modern usage.