whether */*/*/

whether */*/*/
UK [ˈweðə(r)] / US [ˈweðər] / US [ˈhweðər] conjunction
Collocations:
Both whether and if can be used to introduce indirect questions of the type that expect a "yes/no" answer: She asked if/whether I liked jazz. Use whether, but not if, before an infinitive: She can't decide whether to marry him. Use whether, but not if, after a preposition: There are doubts about whether the system is safe. Use whether, but not if, immediately before "or not": The question is whether or not the government has the right to interfere.
Whether is generally preferred when "or" appears later in the sentence, but you can also use if: It is not clear whether/if the information was stolen or deliberately leaked to the press.
Get it right: whether:
Notice the spelling of the conjunction whether, and don't confuse it with the noun weather, which sounds exactly the same.
Wrong: It does not matter wheather one is an optimist or a pessimist.
Right: It does not matter whether one is an optimist or a pessimist.
Wrong: The question is wether there is still a place for imagination in the world.
Right: The question is whether there is still a place for imagination in the world.
Wrong: … the issue of weather criminals need retribution or rehabilitation.
Right: … the issue of whether criminals need retribution or rehabilitation.
1) used when someone does not know which of two possibilities is true

They asked us whether we were married.

There is some doubt as to whether the illness is infectious.

whether ... or:

She doesn't even know whether her daughter is dead or alive.

whether or not:

I still don't know whether or not he's planning to come.

2) used when someone can choose between two possibilities

Employees are deciding whether to accept the offer.

whether or not:

There was a debate over whether or not to send troops.

3) used for saying that it does not matter which of two possibilities is true, because the situation will be the same

The journey, whether by road or rail, takes under four hours.

whether ... or not:

Whether you like it or not, you'll have to change your lifestyle.

whether ... or (whether):

Whether we win or whether we lose, we shall respect the democratic process.


English dictionary. 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • whether — 1. For the choice between if and whether, see if 2. 2. When the alternative to the whether clause is a simple negative, this can take several forms, but whether or not is now more usual than whether or no: • I brooded all the way whether or not I …   Modern English usage

  • Whether — Wheth er, conj. In case; if; used to introduce the first or two or more alternative clauses, the other or others being connected by or, or by or whether. When the second of two alternatives is the simple negative of the first it is sometimes only …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Whether or no — Whether Wheth er, conj. In case; if; used to introduce the first or two or more alternative clauses, the other or others being connected by or, or by or whether. When the second of two alternatives is the simple negative of the first it is… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • whether — [hweth′ər, weth′ər] conj. [ME < OE hwæther (akin to Ger weder, neither) < IE * kwotero , which (of two) < base * kwo , who (> WHAT) + compar. suffix] 1. if it be the case or fact that: used to introduce an indirect question [ask… …   English World dictionary

  • Whether — Wheth er, pron. [OE. whether, AS. hw[ae]?er; akin to OS. hwe?ar, OFries. hweder, OHG. hwedar, wedar, G. weder, conj., neither, Icel. hv[=a]rr whether, Goth. hwa?ar, Lith. katras, L. uter, Gr. ?, ?, Skr. katara, from the interrogatively pronoun,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • whether\ ---\ or — • whether or • whether or whether 1. coord. conj. Used to introduce an indirect question. You must decide whether you should go or stay. I don t know whether Jack or Bill is a better player. Compare: either or 2. Used to show a choice of things,… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • whether — O.E. hwæðer, hweðer which of two, whether, from P.Gmc. *khwatharaz (Cf. O.S. hwedar, O.N. hvarr, Goth. huaþar, O.H.G. hwedar which of the two, Ger. weder neither ), from interrogative base *khwa who (see WHO (Cf …   Etymology dictionary

  • whether — ► CONJUNCTION 1) expressing a doubt or choice between alternatives. 2) expressing an enquiry or investigation. 3) indicating that a statement applies whichever of the alternatives mentioned is the case. USAGE Whether and if are more or less… …   English terms dictionary

  • whether — conjunction 1 used when talking about a choice you have to make or about two different possibilities: He asked me whether she was coming. | The decision whether to see her was mine alone. | whether or not: I coudn t decide whether or not to go to …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • whether — wheth|er [ weðər, hweðər ] conjunction *** 1. ) used when someone does not know which of two possibilities is true: They asked us whether we were married. There is some doubt as to whether the illness is infectious. whether...or: She doesn t even …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

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