The use of "whether" please help

Question

Could you please help me correct these sentences please?

1 Whether it be for floral arrangments or catering arrangements, I have meany ideas that could be of interest to you.

2 As a planner whether a wedding planner or party planner you need to have these skills

3 If you want people to respect your view whether they are pro rebulican or pro democrat please be so kind as to respect others,

Thank you so much

BillJ · Accepted Answer

1. is OK as it is.

The other two need commas inserting, as shown:

2. As a planner, whether a wedding planner or party planner, you need to have these skills

3. If you want people to respect your view, whether they are pro-rebulican or pro-democrat, please be so kind as to respect others.

You use commas because the "whether" clauses are supplementary adjuncts adding some additional optional information.

BillJ

Alc24 · Answer

Hello Bill,

Might I ask

Is this natural or would you have to change it maybe

cross out "it be"? How would you write it yourself or any native?
1 Whether ~~it be~~ for floral arrangments or catering arrangements, I have meany ideas that could be of interest to you.

I can't seem to find this defintion of "whether" in the dictionary.

Ps
May you tell me how you owould say this

You're not allowed to use the equipment, whether the camera or the lights, for personal.

Thank you so much

BillJ · Answer

alc24Is this natural or would you have to change it; maybe cross out "it be"? How would you write it yourself or any native? 1 Whether it be for floral arrangments or catering arrangements, I have meany ideas that could be of interest to you. I can't seem to find this defintion of "whether" in the dictionary.

It's quite natural. Personally, I'd retain "it be", because the "it" refers to what it is that you have many ideas about. Equally correct and natural, "it's" could be used instead of "it be": "Whether "it's" for floral arrangements...". Nevertheless, you could if you wished, omit "it be/is", in which case it becomes a 'reduced' clause with no subject or verb; but it has the same meaning, so there seems little point.

"Whether" is an interrogative subordinating conjunction; it introduces the interrogative adjunct clause "Whether it be / is for floral arrangements or catering arrangements..." It's called 'interrogative' because it indirectly asks the question '"Will it be used for floral arrangements or catering arrangements?" Most dictionaries just call it by the general term 'conjunction'.

alc24~~May~~ Can/could you tell me how you owould say this You're not allowed to use the equipment, whether the camera or the lights, for personal use.

It's OK. It's the same kind of 'reduced' clause that I mentioned above; it can be expanded to "...whether it be/is the camera or the lights". The indirect question this time is "Are you allowed to use the camera or the lights?"

BillJ

Alc24 · Answer

Hello BillJ

May I ask you something I came across?

Be it in a blowout or a close game, this team has shown it can win any number of ways.

Is it correct? Are the below also correct and mean the same?

A Whether it be in a blowout or a close game, this team has shown it can win any number of ways.

B Whether it's a blowout or a close game, this team has shown it can win any number of ways.

Is there any problem here, I tried to use "whether"

This is a hands magazine so to qualify to be in this magazine, you need to have acrylic nails whether long or short.
The nails are nice whether fake or real.

Thank you so much

BillJ · Answer

They are all fine. Your last examples "whether long or short" and "whether fake or real" are reduced clauses. They can be expanded to "whether they be/are long or short" and "whether they be/are fake or real" respectively

BillJ

Alc24 · Answer

Thank you BillJ
Might I ask you for your help with one other thing as I haven't been able to get a definite answer please?

I'd appreciate it greatly if you could help me with these.
thank you so much in advance.

Are these all correct?
The shot was worth the missed free throw.
The shot was worth missing the free throw over.
It was worth missing the free throw to get another shot opportunity.

That's not worth dying over.
It's not worth dying over that.

Were the 2 stops worth the 10 minute wait?
Were the 2 stops worth waiting 10 minutes over?

I don't know if in English you can say most easily... or easiest?

Which position can most easily score 3 goals in one match?
Which position can score 3 goals in one match eaisest?

Which position can most quickly score 3 goals?
Which position can score 3 goals quickest?

What basis can the rulers most [easily] persuade the population to support their aims [easiest]?
The ruler can [most] easily persuade the population to support their aims [easiest] basis that it's the right thing to do.

He can most easily climb up with those shoes.
He can climb up easiest with those shoes.

The site that's easiest to access is.../most easily accessible is...

thanks a lot

The use of "whether" please help

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions