WHETHER OR IF?

We can use ___ to report indirect yes-no questions and questions with or.

e.g. Call the bakeries around town and find out ___ any of them sell raspberry pies.

• if

• whether

• both

___ is more common in informal contexts.

e.g. I rang Peter from the station and asked ___ I could drop in to see him before going back or if he’d meet me.

• if

• whether

• both

We often prefer ___ in more formal contexts:

e.g. The teachers will be asked ___ they would recommend the book to their classes.

• if

• whether

• both

We prefer ___ with or when there is more than one alternative in the indirect question:

e.g. After the election, we asked ___ the parties should change their leaders, their policies, or both.

• if

• whether

• both

I called Bill to find out ___ or not he really did go to Afghanistan.

• if

• whether

• both

I called Bill to find out ___ he really did go to Afghanistan or not.

• if

• whether

• both

We use ___ before a to-infinitive, often when we’re referring to future plans or decisions:

I was wondering ___to go for a swim.

• if

• whether

• both

We use ___ after prepositions:

e.g. Later I argued with the doctor about ___ I had hit my head, since I couldn’t remember feeling it.

The police seemed mainly interested in ___ there were any locks on the windows.

• if

• whether

• both

We use ___ to introduce clauses after verbs of doubting:

E.g. I don’t know ___ I can drive. My foot really hurts.

I didn’t prune the rose bush this year so I doubt ___ we’re going to have many flowers.

• if

• whether

• both