English Grammar and Exercises for ESL learners.

WHETHER - IF
When to use 'whether' and 'if' in English.

'Whether' and 'if' are used as follows :

To express alternatives :

I don't know whether/if I'll go to the party on Saturday (or not).

To report a question :

Are you going to the party?

- She asked me whether/if I was going to the party (or not).

Only whether can be used in the following cases:

When followed by an infinitive :

I don't know whether to go to the party or not.

After prepositions :

It depends on whether I get home early or not.

When whether begins a clause which is the subject of a sentence.

Whether I go to the party or to the cinema makes no difference to

me.

When followed directly by 'or not'

I'll be happy whether or not I go to the party.