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Angliholic Posted 19 years ago
Grammar
I doubt whether/that
I doubt that/whether/if he'll come.
I doubt that/whether/if it was what he wanted.
I do not doubt that/if/whether he will succeed.
Which conjunction in the above samples should follow the verb doubt and why? This is confusing me when I use doubt in my wording. Is there a rule of thumb or something that I can go by? Thanks.
I doubt that/whether/if it was what he wanted.
I do not doubt that/if/whether he will succeed.
Which conjunction in the above samples should follow the verb doubt and why? This is confusing me when I use doubt in my wording. Is there a rule of thumb or something that I can go by? Thanks.
Top answer
--------- QUESTION How can i explain to my students when to use 'if' or 'whether' -- for example, when they are interchangeable and when they are not. Is there a specific rule that governs the usage? " and that "whether" is considered the more formal of the two.
- --------- QUESTION How can i explain to my students when to use 'if' or 'whether' -- for example, when they are interchangeable and when they are not.
- Is there a specific rule that governs the usage?
- " and that "whether" is considered the more formal of the two.
- " Authority: New York Public Library Writer's Guide to Style and Usage HarperCollins: New York.
- 1994.
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8 Answers
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QUESTION
How can i explain to my students when to use 'if' or 'whether' -- for example, when they are interchangeable and when they are not. Is there a specific rule that governs the usage?
GRAMMAR'S RESPONSE
According to the New York Public Library's Writer's Guide to Style and
Usage, "if" and "whether" are "interchangeable as long as the meani
QUESTION
How can i explain to my students when to use 'if' or 'whether' -- for example, when they are interchangeable and when they are not. Is there a specific rule that governs the usage?
GRAMMAR'S RESPONSE
According to the New York Public Library's Writer's Guide to Style and
Usage, "if" and "whether" are "interchangeable as long as the meani
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Also, see:
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/whether
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/if
and:
item 3.1 here:
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/whether
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/if
and:
item 3.1 here:
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Thanks, Marius, for the clear and helpful explanation and the links.
Based on your reply, which conjunction should I use in the base sentences respectively?
Based on your reply, which conjunction should I use in the base sentences respectively?
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IMO:
that: if you just want to point out a single possibility/outcome
whether: if you want to point out two contrasting choices (whether or not)
Google hits:
888 for "doubt if he'll"
8,420 for "doubt whether he'll"
30,200 for "doubt that he'll"
that: if you just want to point out a single possibility/outcome
whether: if you want to point out two contrasting choices (whether or not)
Google hits:
888 for "doubt if he'll"
8,420 for "doubt whether he'll"
30,200 for "doubt that he'll"
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If and whether
It's good editorial practice to distinguish between these two words.
Use if for a conditional idea, whether for an alternative or a possibility.
Let me know if you'll be coming
means that I want to hear from you only if you're coming.
But
Let me know w
If and whether
It's good editorial practice to distinguish between these two words.
Use if for a conditional idea, whether for an alternative or a possibility.
Let me know if you'll be coming
means that I want to hear from you only if you're coming.
But
Let me know w
00
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Also, try a search at this site (top right Search box) with
whether if
there are many good threads.
whether if
there are many good threads.
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If we have a negative is the only choice the conjunction "that"?
Ex: I don't doubt that he'll do the job (please confirm "whether" is not possible)
Ex: I don't doubt that he'll do the job (please confirm "whether" is not possible)
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