If And Whether are often interchangeable, but have distinct uses. For clarity, it’s best to use Whether relating to a choice or alternatives (“we will go whether it rains or not”) and if when setting a condition (“we’ll go if it doesn’t rain”).
In English grammar, a conjunction is a word that connects sentences, clauses, phrases or words together. If And Whether are called subordinating conjunctions, which means that they are the elements that make up sentences into groups of words called subordinate clauses. As such, they have similar functions, sometimes causing hesitation to use. Grammarians have ruled that if And Whether has a particular use; however, they are interchangeable in a general sense that refers to the uncertainty of future developments. That judgment is consistent with the illegality of English, leading to confusion (we will clarify).
English, whether it clears this up or not, is still chaotic.
If begins the subordinate clause of a conditional—sentence that states a cause-and-effect relationship, makes a prediction, or speculates about what might happen. Bare bones: a subordinate clause is a clause that does not form a sentence by itself and is connected to a main clause, which is a complete sentence. The if clause that states what must happen before something else, stated in the main clause. It can be at the beginning or end of a conditional sentence.
If it doesn’t rain, we’ll go. = We will go if it doesn’t rain.
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The main clause of a conditional sentence can begin with an adverb Later. This often happens in scientific contexts, especially in logical statements or proofs when Later used to emphasize cause-and-effect relationships: “If you eat all the ice cream, you’ll be satisfied”; “If the line segment P, q And r are equal, then the triangle is an equilateral triangle. Afterwardin general cases, is not a necessary coupling with if.
Whether is a conjunction that usually begins a subordinate clause expressing an indirect question regarding two stated or implied possibilities or alternatives. And this is where the confusion begins: if can also be used in this sense.
I’m not sure if/whether my answer is correct. [Is my answer correct?]
He called the restaurant to see if they were taking reservations. [Do they take reservations?]
She wondered if/if her story was true. [Was his story true?]
They doubt whether/whether the team will win. [Will the team win?]
I don’t know if the mail has arrived yet. [Did the mail arrive?]
As to why this exchange took place, we have no answer. If we did, we would gladly share it with you.
There is a grammar suggestion calling Whether instead of if. Whether is a verb that comes before an infinitive, which is the verb form in the “to + simple” ordering, as in “I am wondering if we should change our reservation.” Whetherin this case, refers to making a choice, while if state a condition, such as in “If a contestant spells the word wrong, he or she is disqualified.”
Readers may already be familiar with the phrase Yes or no, means “in any event,” “regardless of or in spite of other considerations” or “whatever else is done or is the case”—for example, “we will go whether you decide to come along or not.” The phrase “or not” does not necessarily follow “whether,” but it often does: thus, “The parade will continue whether it rains or not.”
Do not have If, andAnd butt, if And Whether are used interchangeably as function words to denote an indirect question regarding stated or implied alternatives and have their own uses. But (so there is a But), for clarity, it’s best to use Whether more than if when referring to choice or alternatives and reserve if as word to introduce a condition.
Categories: Usage Notes
Source: vothisaucamau.edu.vn
