Grammar: How to use IF & WHETHER properly

TRANSCRIPT

First of all, let's make sure everybody understands "whether" is not spelled the same as "weather", like sunny, raining. This is about rain, sun, snow, wind, temperature; this is similar to "if", it's about having choices. Okay?

So, in some situations, "if" and "whether" are interchangeable, but the best way to not make a mistake, not to mix them up in the wrong context is to always use "if" for conditionals; always use "whether" when you're talking about two alternatives, two choices. Okay? You'll see what I mean.

When they can be interchanged. First of all, when they are used as noun clauses, means they can be the object or the subject of a sentence, they can mean the same thing. But again, avoid using them the same if you don't want to make mistakes. "Do you know if Dan is coming?" Do you know what? If Dan is coming. "Do you know whether Dan is coming?" In this case, they basically mean the same thing. Yes or no: is he coming or is he not coming? You could add the "or not?" here: "Do you know whether Dan is coming or not?" But the word "whether" already gives you a choice between yes or no in this particular case, so this is not necessary. It's understood. Okay?

Now, let's look at these two sentences: "I don't know if the exam is on Friday or Saturday.", "I don't know whether the exam is on Friday or Saturday." So here, we're looking directly at a choice. When I use "whether": "I don't know whether the exam is on Friday or Saturday." So again, you have two options when you look at "whether". Friday is one option, Saturday is another option. The problem here is if you use "if", "if" is not limited to two options. "I don't know if the exam is on Friday or Saturday, or if it's next week sometime." So here, although they seem to mean the same thing, the "if" gives you other options that the "whether" doesn't. "Whether": one, two. "If": one, two, or something completely different.

So if you want to avoid making this mistake, use "whether" for the choices, use... Save "if" for when you have your conditional sentence. Now, what is a conditional sentence? A conditional sentence is using "if" as an adverb clause. There's a condition. If "A" happens, "B" will happen. Okay? One thing needs to happen for the second thing to happen, that's the condition. So: "Let me know", oh, sorry. I forgot this word, here. "Let me know if you're coming.", "Let me know whether you're coming." In this case, they're both okay. "Let me know whether you're coming or not."

Now, what's the difference between: "Let me know if you're coming", "Let me know whether you're coming or not"? If you are coming, yes, let me know. This is a conditional. If this is true, do this. "Let me know whether you're coming or not." If you're coming, let me know; if you're not coming, let me know. So in this case, both apply. Okay? So, again, use this to... The condition. This is the condition, this is the result. Here, this is going to happen regardless. So we're going to look at this in a second in more detail. Okay?

"I'll come over if you want me to." If you want it, I will do it; if you don't want it, I will not do it. So this is the condition. If you want me to, I'll come over. This is the condition, this is the result. So your best option is to always use "if" with conditionals, use "whether" to talk about two alternatives.

Now, the other common use of "whether" is to mean "regardless". Doesn't matter what happens, regardless of the situation, here's what I want you to do. "I'm coming over whether you like it or not." Okay. "Whether you like it or not" means if you like it, I'm coming over; if you don't like it, too bad, I'm coming over. So this verb is going to happen regardless of this situation.

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[jessmaya]

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[lucassotero]

Whether you like it or not, the explanation was EXCELLENT. thanks

[braulioantoniobarajasdiaz]

Thank you very much I've been struggling with "whether" since I started to learn English, i searched on internet pages and I seemed very difficult to me, but this explanation made it make sense to me, thank you again!

[hamienjeanclavernzi]

Good explanation! Thanks.
Whether you like him or not, he remains one of the best english teachers i ever seen.

[NinaFalana]

Adam, that's incredible how you describe this rule so brilliantly - I have been trying to understand the concept of conditionals since I was in middle school (over 10 years ago) and until this day I was not so sure about this topic. After your - literally - two sentences describing an example of a conditional, I stopped the video and started laughing with joy that I finally understood what it was all about! I'm in awe of your ability to share the knowledge so straightforwardly, without disturbing or unnecessary comments which I often saw in other English lesson videos. I've subscribed to your channel immediately and can't wait to learn from your other videos! Thank you so much for your work. It already made my life easier, and I'm just getting started! :)

[palomasantos]

I'm brasilian and I'm learning English and you very helped me. Thanks, I I was very happy when I saw that the video was subtitled in Portuguese.

[maruvideos]

Hey Adam! Your lessons are very good buddy! Super easy to understand. I am from Brazil, I am studying English in Canberra at the moment and your lessons are helping me a lot on my study. Your videos are the best :) cheers

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thank you for sharing your knowledge, I've been having difficulty in my pronunciation, and really want to improve. Godbless, continue sharing your knowledge, It is really helpful!

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Good work for foreigners to understand english language, Mr.Adam

[thouvibolmongkol]

THANK YOU SO MUCH my test is today about if and whether in indirect speech i didn't know when to use them so thank you this is incredibly helpful (:

[MrSteveyboy]

Fantastic explanation. I got caught off guard when asked this question in my English class last night. I just said that they're basically interchangeable but there is a rule for it. "I'll teach it in detail next class."As a native English speaker we use if and whether without even thinking about it and I've hardly ever thought about the grammar aspect. Very interesting. Thanks.

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Dear Adam, Thanks so much. I’m learning a lot from you. I will continue to watch your lessons.

[RosangelaSilvaTEACHER]

Hi! I loved the way you teach! It's quite easy to understand!

Congratulations and keep up the nice job!