We can introduce noun clauses with a wh- word (who, what,

where, how, etc.). Like that clauses, wh- noun clauses can
have many different functions in a sentence. For example:

We don’t know if she’s right or wrong.

(This means “maybe she’s right;

maybe she’s wrong.”)

I’m not sure whether I can join you tonight or not.

(This means “maybe I can join you tonight; maybe I can’t.”)

Clauses with whether can have many different functions in
a sentence. If- clauses are not used in as many different
places as other kinds of noun clauses. We often use them
as objects of verbs or adjective complements. For
example:
object of a verb

We don’t know if she’s right or wrong.

(The if- clause if she's right or wrong is the object of a
verb.)

adjective complement

I’m not sure whether I can join you tonight or not.

(The clause whether I can join you tonight or not is an adjective complement.)
However, they are not common in other places
in a sentence. For example:
subject

Whether or not he will come isn’t certain.

(Whether or not he will come is the subject.
NOT COMMON: If he will come is not certain.)
 subject complement

The question is whether I should stay or go.

(Whether I should stay or go is a subject complement.

NOT COMMON: The question is if I should stay or go.)
subject complement

We talked about whether animals can truly communicate or not.

(Whether animals can truly communicate or not is a subject complement.

NOT COMMON: We talked about if animals can truly communicate or not.)
 Sometimes only one option is mentioned in an
if/whether clause. In these sentences, the second
option (or not) is implied. For example:

I can’t decide if I should move.

I can’t decide whether I should move.

(This means “maybe I should; maybe I shouldn’t.”)

Note that or not can directly follow whether, but not if.
For example:
Your doctor can tell you whether or not you should take your medication.

(NOT: Your doctor can tell you if or not you should take
your medication.)
● Noun Clauses Beginning with “Whether” or “If”
● When a yes/no question is changed to a noun clause, whether or if is used to introduce
the clause Whether is more common in formal writing, but both words are used regularly
when speaking:

● Will he come?
● I wonder whether he will come.
● I wonder if he will come.
● Does she need help?

● I don’t know whether she needs help.

● I don’t know if she needs help.
● Or not is sometimes included with whether/if to help reinforce the yes/no nature
of the noun clause. Note that or not can immediately follow whether but not if:

● I wonder whether or not she needs help.

● I wonder whether she needs help or not.
● I wonder if she needs help or not.
● If and whether: indirect questions
● We can use if or whether to report indirect yes-
no questions and questions with or. If is more
common than whether:

● The teachers will be asked whether they would

recommend the book to their classes.
Noun Clauses with
if or whether -
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