whether
conjunction OPAL W
/ˈweðə(r)/
/ˈweðər/
- used to express a doubt or choice between two possibilities
- He seemed undecided whether to go or stay.
- It remains to be seen whether or not this idea can be put into practice.
- I asked him whether he had done it all himself or whether someone had helped him.
- I'll see whether she's at home (= or not at home).
- It's doubtful whether there'll be any seats left.
Homophones weather | whetherweather whether/ˈweðə(r)//ˈweðər/- weather noun
- Next day the weather turned cold.
- weather verb
- Be prepared to weather a storm of criticism.
- whether conjunction
- You'll have wonderful views whether you travel by sea or by air.
Grammar Point if / whetherif / whetherTopics Preferences and decisionsb1- Both if and whether are used in reporting questions which expect ‘yes’ or ‘no’ as the answer: She asked if/whether I wanted a drink., although whether sounds more natural with particular verbs such as discuss, consider and decide. When a choice is offered between alternatives, if or whether can be used: We didn’t know if/whether we should write or phone. In this last type of sentence, whether is usually considered more formal and more suitable for written English.
- used to show that something is true in either of two cases
- You are entitled to a free gift whether you accept our offer of insurance or not.
- I'm going whether you like it or not.
- Whether or not we're successful, we can be sure that we did our best.
Word OriginOld English hwæther, hwether, of Germanic origin; related to German weder ‘neither’.