If vs Whether are two words that make a lot of English learners confused. This confusion is natural since in informal, everyday language they can sometimes be used interchangeably. If you don’t know how to use each of these words, you’ll master their uses after this simple (but complete) guide.
If vs Whether
First of all, these two words express uncertainty. We use them when we are not certain about something.
Sometimes, especially in informal, everyday conversation, they can be used interchangeably. But when the context requires you to use more formal language, especially in writing, being aware of their differences is extremely useful.
If
If is the appropriate word to express a condition. So, it’s the word you need to use with conditional sentences in zero conditionals, first conditionals, second conditionals, third conditionals, and mixed conditionals. In each of these links, you can find a complete explanation of conditionals.
Some examples of the word if used in conditional sentences are shown below.
| This is what the world looks like if we pass the crucial 1.5-degree climate threshold (NPR) |
| If Democrats return to centrism, they are doomed to lose against Trump (The Guardian) |
| Elon Musk asks Twitter if he should sell some of his Tesla stock (CNN) |
| ‘If They Die, We All Die’: Drought Kills in Kenya (VOA) |
| What are my rights if I catch Covid-19 from a work colleague? (RTE) |
Whether
Whether is the appropriate word to express a choice. So, it’s the word you need to use when you have to choose between two (or more) options. You also use this word in the idiom whether or not.
This is the reason why whether is also used when we ask indirect questions.
Some examples of the word whether used in conditional sentences are shown below.
| Spanish police investigating whether Facebook was used to recruit organized group to force passenger plane to land (El País) |
| Elon Musk let Twitter users decide whether to sell 10% of his Tesla stock. They said yes. (Market Watch) |
| Reunification will be by force if necessary whether US supports secessionists or not: China Daily editorial (China Daily) |
| Turkey deciding whether to deport Syrian journalist over ‘bananas’ video (Reuters) |
| Shonda Rhimes on the Legacy of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ — and Whether She Knows How It’ll All End (Yahoo News) |
If vs Whether Used Interchangeably
When we have indirect questions involving two alternatives, besides using whether we can also use if. This is what makes a lot of people confused when using these words.
You could use both words interchangeably in sentences such as the ones shown below.
| Let me know whether you’re coming to the party | Let me know if you’re coming to the party |
| Do you know whether Tim is working today? | Do you know if Tim is working today? |
| My mother asked me whether I want to go swimming today | My mother asked me if I want to go swimming today |
| My friends never say whether they’re showing up | My friends never say if they’re showing up |
| I don’t know whether I’ll travel this year | I don’t know if I’ll travel this year |
Our golden tip for you to never commit any mistakes when using if vs whether is that you should use if whenever you have a condition and use whether if you have the idea of choosing between alternatives.
Nuances
You should also be attentive to the fact that using if or whether may slightly change the meaning of the sentence. Analyze the examples below.
| Sentence | Meaning |
| Let me know whether you’re coming to the party | Whether your answer is ‘yes’ or ‘no’, let me know it |
| Let me know if you’re coming to the party | If you’re coming, let me know; if you’re not, you don’t need to say anything |
