It is unclear whether he knows it or not.

Let's try this.
1. "It is unclear, whether he knows it or not."
2. "It is unclear whether he knows it, or not."

Can you see the difference? Which sense do you mean?

Viceidol

It is unclear whether he knows it or not.

Can I use if to replace whether? Like this:

It is unclear if he knows it or not.

Please help me with this. Thank you!

Hi Viceidol

Both sentences are correct and there's no diffe

VeradeLet's try this. 1. "It is unclear, whether he knows it or not." 2. "It is unclear whether he knows it, or not." Can you see the difference? Which sense do you mean?

Hi, Verade. I mean the second one. Thanks.

1. "He is unclear as to whether he knows it or not." This conveys that he may be confused; I know for certain that the matter is confusing.
2. "I am unclear as to whether he knows it or not." This conveys that he either knows about the matter for certain, or not. I am the one who is confused.

In your original post, "it is unclear if..." the sentence is unclear!

I hope this is all clear. Ha ha!

Hi,

You might also want to consider the form 'Whether or not he knows it is unclear'.

Best wishes, Clive

If he knows it or not is unclear.

Grammatical? Not?

CJ

VeradeIn your original post, "it is unclear if..." the sentence is unclear! I hope this is all clear. Ha ha!

Hi Verade

Do you mean the second sentece doesn't make sense when using either 'if...not' or 'whether...not'?

Thanks
LiJ

CalifJimIf he knows it or not is unclear.

Grammatical? Not?

CJ

Sorry, Viceidol

I think It's okay.

LiJ

It is subtle, but I think Clive's version may be what you want to convey. Again, I would ask: do you mean "whether he knows it or not..." or "whether it is unclear."

Using the word 'whether' does make it easier for me to understand the exact sense. I will defer to others at this point, since I don't want to confuse things any further.