BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

whether vs. if

This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Locked
Previous Topic Next Topic
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 107
Joined: Wed Mar 04, 2009 4:39 am
Location: Vancouver
Thanked: 9 times
GMAT Score:750

whether vs. if

by pakaskwa » Sun Mar 08, 2009 5:50 pm
On Princeton Review, it mentioned that:
- always use "whether" when it means two possible conditions/outcomes, such as
"I don't know whether my proposal will be approved."

- always use "if" when it means a precondition, such as
"If he becomes a member of the club, I'll quit."

I don't see similar instruction on OG though. Can someone confirm the useage of these 2 words? I have no question on using "if" with conditional clause, but I'm not sure I can only use "whether" for two possible conditions...
Top
Source: — Sentence Correction |
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 8
Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2009 7:58 pm

by mahatma_rohit » Mon Mar 09, 2009 4:48 am
Hi pakaskwa..

I would like to clear your doubt based on my knowledge.

"IF" is always used when it is followed by a "THEN", i.e. "IF" is used in case of a conditional sentence
For eg (d one u used) - If he becomes a member of the club, (THEN) i will quit.

And "Whether" is used when the sentence does not intends to be conditional.
For eg - "I dont know WHETHER my proposal will be approved".

If u look at both d egs den u must notice dat in d first eg the person specifies dat wat is he gonno do if sum1 becomes d member of d club, which is introduced by the then clause.
However in the second eg the person is only doubtful dat whether his proposal will be approved or not. He does not speaks of the aftermaths of the event (approval or rejection) dat is goono take place.

Hope i cleared ur doubt. If u still hv questions plz post it.
Top
Post new topic Locked
• Page 1 of 1