grammar · neutral

Whether + clause (or not)

Band 4-5speakingtask2

Introduces alternatives or uncertainty: whether ... or not.

Examples

“I couldn't decide whether to accept the offer or not.”

“Whether you agree or not, the decision is final.”

“She asked whether I needed help.”

Band 8 sentence

“Policy-makers must decide whether to prioritise short-term relief or long-term resilience in their budgets.”

Collocations

  • whether + to + V
  • whether + clause

Common mistakes

I don't know whether I will go or not.→I don't know whether I will go.

She asked if I will come.→She asked whether I would come.

Say it for a higher band

5if + clause (in questions)→6whether + to + V→7+Whether + clause (or not)

Synonyms

If (in indirect yes/no questions)

Easily confused

If + clause (in indirect questions)

“He asked if I could help him.”

Related words

By the time + clause, clauseSo + adjective + that + clauseEven if + clause, clauseSuch + (a/an) + noun + that + clauseIf + past perfect, would have + past participleOn the one hand + clause; on the other hand + clauseGiven that + clause, + clauseThe more + clause, the more + clause

Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.

In Complex sentences

Learn it with its set