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Goronsky Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

'whether' / 'if'

What do you think? When do we technically use 'whether' vs 'as if'? It seems like a bunch of semantic obfuscation, actually.

'I don't know whether I should go.'
'I don't know whether or not I should go.'
'I don't know whether I should go or not.'
'I don't know if I should go.'
'I don't know if I should go or not.'

What's the true 'recipe for success' when determining the correct way—and choice—to go with here?
  

Top answer

It's a question of 'whether' vs as 'if'. I'm not sure there's a rule, other than my own. They mean essentially the same thing, but I always feel that 'whether' requires mentioning two things.

— Philip

  • It's a question of 'whether' vs as 'if'.
  • I'm not sure there's a rule, other than my own.
  • They mean essentially the same thing, but I always feel that 'whether' requires mentioning two things.
  • [ I don't know whether or not I should go / I don't know whether I should go or not ] [ Whether you eat peas or beans, I don't care.
  • ~ I don't care if you eat peas or beans.
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5 Answers
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It's a question of 'whether' vs as 'if'.
I'm not sure there's a rule, other than my own. They mean essentially the same thing, but I always feel that 'whether' requires mentioning two things. [ I don't know whether or not I should go / I don't know whether I should go or not ] [ Whether you eat peas or beans, I don't care. ~ I don't care if you eat peas or beans. ] I hope I'm no
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Great. Thanks, Philip.
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It doesn't matter [if / whether] you use "if" or "whether" in an indirect question.

However,

See
See

CJ
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Methinks we are all a tad 'descriptive' to some infinitesimal degree. ;-(
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goronskyMethinks we are all a tad 'descriptive' to some infinitesimal degree. ;-(
On this forum you will only occasionally see blatantly prescriptive advice.

Most of us are of the descriptive persuasion, so you will see a great deal more than an infinitesimal degree of the descriptive approach to grammar.
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