Whether and If

In Grammar 10-1, we learned how to use Noun Clauses with question words.

When a yes or no question is changed to a Noun Clause, we use the words, whether or if.

  • Does he like me?
    • Could you tell me if he likes me?
  • Will I learn English?
    • I am thinking about whether I will learn English.
  • Should I go home?
    • I do not know if I should go home.

When using if or whether, it is common to also say, "or not.”

  • I wonder whether or not he likes me.
  • I wonder whether he likes me or not.
  • I wonder if he likes me or not.

Although "whether or not" is common, it is not okay in English to say "if or not."

  • Correct

    I do not know whether or not he is coming tonight.

  • Incorrect

    I do not know if or not he is coming tonight.

We can use many of the same verbs we use with other Noun Clauses.

  • announce
  • argue
  • comment
  • confirm
  • consider
  • doubt
  • explain
  • hope
  • know
  • mention
  • remember
  • reveal
  • understand
  • Can you confirm whether or not you will be at work tomorrow?
  • Tamara didn’t mention if they had decided on a logo or not.
  • I don’t know whether the trees were planted by the city.

That

Noun Clauses with that are common when the speaker is thinking, giving an opinion, or using verbs like believe, or feel. However, it is common to omit that when speaking.

  • He is a very nice person.
    • I think (that) he is a very nice person.
  • His cousin is being rude and unhelpful.
    • I feel (that) his cousin is being rude and unhelpful.
  • The student from Korea does not like kimchi.
    • I cannot believe (that) the student from Korea does not like kimchi.

That can come after many different verbs.

  • agree
  • believe
  • claim
  • confirm
  • deny
  • fear
  • feel
  • propose
  • reveal
  • suppose
  • think
  • understand
  • Many people believe that living in a foreign country is a positive experience.
  • She fears that the children will have nothing to do if the local pool closes.
  • I am proposing that we all calm down and discuss the problem rationally.
  • Javier thought that your presentation was the best.

Exercise

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