When a yes/no question is changed to a noun clause, whether or if is used to introduce the clause.
| Yes/No Question | Noun Clause |
|---|---|
| Will he come? | I don’t know whether he will come. I don’t know if he will come. |
Whether is more acceptable in formal English, but if is quite commonly used, especially in spoken English.
| Yes/No Question | Noun Clause |
|---|---|
| Does she need help? | I wonder whether she needs help. I wonder if she needs help. I wonder whether or not she needs help. I wonder whether she needs help or not. I wonder if she needs help or not. - (…if or not…✘) Whether she needs help or not is what we want you to tell us. - (The noun clause is in the subject position here.) |
Exercise
Open the exercise to begin the activity. Follow the instructions in the document.