Grammar

Question 1

G: If / Whether

Examples:

I called her and asked _____ she wanted to meet me.

I am not sure _______ to buy the blue shirt or the red one.

Answer 1

If / Whether

Examples:

I called her and asked if she wanted to meet me.

I am not sure whether to buy the blue shirt or the red one.

We can use either if or whether to name the options in an indirect question or report someone’s question.

Question 2

G: If / Whether

Examples:

I don’t know ________ I should drive or take a cab.

I don’t know _______ I can drive. My foot really hurts.

Answer 2

If / Whether

We often use if in case when there are many options available, while whether is used when we have two clear options.

Examples:

I don’t know whether I should drive or take a cab.

I don’t know if I can drive. My foot really hurts.

Question 3

G: If / Whether

Examples:

It depends on _______ we get back late or not.

I don’t know ________ to go to the cinema or not.

Answer 3

If / Whether

We use only whether (NOT if) in the following
cases:
• after prepositions
• before infinitives

Examples:

It depends on whether we get back late or not.
(NOT: It depends on if we get back late or not.)

I don’t know whether to go to the cinema or not.

(NOT: I don’t know if to go to the cinema or not.)