English Using Whether in a sentence, how to use whether;
Using Whether
In this lesson, we will give information about the use of the “whether” pattern in daily life. These patterns need to be memorized and repeated. When converting a question that starts with the auxiliary verb into noun clause, “whether” or “if” is put in front of the noun clause, and the question sentence is converted into a straight sentence. “Or not” can come immediately after whether (whether or not) or it may be at the end of noun clause (whether … or not).
However, “or not” is not used immediately after “if”. It can only take place at the end of noun clause (if… or not). We may not use “or not” in either sentence and in this case the meaning does not change. For example;
- Is he coming to the school?
- You wonder whether he is coming to the school or not.
- Whether or not John is coming to the school.
- Whether Tim is coming to the home.
Note: If “noun clause” is the subject in the sentence, only “whether” is used, “If” is not used at the beginning of the sentence. For example;
- Whether Jesica is coming to the school or not isn’t certain yet. Whether or not Jesica is coming to the school isn’t certain yet. Whether Jesica is coming to the school isn’t certain yet.
Note: Attention should be paid to the differences and translation between the use of the “Whether or not” pattern in the condition sentence and noun clause.
“Whether or not” forms the clause of the sentence in the condition sentence and the subject or object of the sentence in noun clause. For example;
- I will go to the cinema whether Jesica comes with me or not. (Conditional)
- I don’t know whether Jesica will come to the cinema with me or not.
There are some tense restrictions when used in the “Whether or not” conditional clause. For example not using future tense indicates this. There is no tense restriction when the “Whether or not” pattern is used in noun clause. For example;
- Bilica would support him whether she were (was) right or not. (Conditional)
- I don’t know whether Jesica was right or not.
- The result will be the same whether they attend tomorrow’s meeting or not. (conditional: In the sentence to which “whether” is linked, future tense is not used.)
- You haven’t decided yet whether you will attend today meeting or not. (noun clause)
