scoobydooby wrote:1) is redundant. "whether" implies a choice or an alternative, so we do not need to repeat the word whether.
2) i dont like the "stays". would like this better if it used "stay" instead of "stays"
Whether John decides to go to the party or (to) stay at home is not the issue- would maintain the parallelism.
3) is wordy. since there is only one subject, John, we do not need the "he" again
Dear Scoobydooby
May I engage you in a discussion? This is my opinion and I am subject to correction
“Whether John decides to go to the party or (to) stay at home is not the issue”- would maintain the parallelism.”
You are using infinitives to go or (to) stay. Fine! Your intention is perfect. But my point here is that in correlative conjunctions, such as whether - or, either - or, neither - nor, not- but, etc, we must use parallel structure immediately after both the arms of the correlation. Here the right usage of idiom is “either x or y”, wherein x and y both should be in the same form. In your example, you are using - decides - after whether, which is in present tense but an infinitive (to) stay after –or-. This is unidiomatic. Am I right or wrong?
I will give you another example
The fallen person rose on his feet not in a moment but got up painfully.
Here the word after not is - in a moment – a prepositional noun and after but - got up – a verb. We must use either nouns or verbs in both cases. The correct choice will be:
The fallen person did not rise on his feet in a moment but got up painfully. (Or)
The fallen person rose on his feet not in a moment but in a state of pain
Pardon me if I am wrong but more importantly do please tell me so and why?
