Difference Between If and Whether

If vs Whether
 

Because the difference between if and whether is a little confusing to many, these two words, if and whether, are often confused when it comes to their usage. Strictly speaking, they convey different meanings. If you look at the two words, you will see that if is used as a conjunction and a noun while the word whether is simply used as a conjunction. The word if is used in the case of condition. On the other hand, the word whether is used in the case of doubt. This is the main difference between the two words and their usage.

What does If mean?

The word if is used in the sense of condition. Observe the two sentences given below.

If you give me the book, I can prepare for the examination.

I can go to London if I get the money.

In both the sentences, you will find that the word if is used in the sense of condition. In the first sentence, you get to know that ‘I can prepare for the examination under the condition that you give me the book’. In the second sentence you get to know that ‘I can go to London under the condition that I get the money.

What does Whether mean?

On the other hand, the word whether is used in the case of doubt. Observe the two sentences given below.

Tell me whether you are coming or not.

She has not informed whether her husband is joining for lunch or not.

In both the sentences, you can find that the word whether is used in the sense of doubt. In the first sentence, you can understand that there is doubt in the mind of the speaker, and that is why he says ‘tell me whether you are coming or not’. The doubt is regarding someone accompanying him. In the second sentence too you can see that there is doubt in the mind of the speaker about the joining of the husband of the lady for lunch.

It is interesting to note that most of the time when the word whether is used the word ‘or’ also is used as you can see from the examples given above.

Whether is also used after prepositions. Look at the following example.

I would like to speak about whether you are happy with the dress.

Here you can see how whether is used after prepositions about. Also, whether is also used when one is presenting two alternatives without there being any conditions.

I need to know whether Rachel will go.

Here, the two alternatives are Rachel will go and Rachel will not go. The speaker needs to know in either case. You can replace whether with if, but then the meaning changes completely as a condition comes to place. Then, the sentence would be ‘I need to know if Rachel will go.’ In this case the speaker needs only to be informed if Rachel goes. Otherwise no need to tell.

What is the difference between If and Whether?

• If is used as a conjunction and a noun while the word whether is simply used as a conjunction.

• The word if is used in the sense of condition.

• On the other hand, the word whether is used in the case of doubt.

• Most of the time when the word whether is used the word ‘or’ also is used.

• Whether is also used when one is presenting two alternatives without there being any conditions.

These are the differences between the two words if and whether.

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