whether
whether — conjunction
1. used before a clause that gives two possible choices when you are not sure which
used before a clause that gives two possible choices when you are not sure which one is correct or will happen — for example, asking whether the bus has already passed or is still on its way.
Gabriel asked whether the night train to Kaohsiung had already departed.
whether + past-tense clause reporting a question
Dahlia could not decide whether to accept the scholarship offer from National Taiwan University.
whether + to-infinitive pattern
The science teacher asked whether the experiment results were accurate enough to publish.
Marta was not sure whether the supermarket closes at eight or at nine.
Nobody knows whether the rumour about the factory is true or completely made up.
- if
more common in everyday speech and conditional sentences, but cannot be used before to-infinitives or directly before 'or not'
- whether or not
emphatic form that stresses the possibility of both alternatives, often placed at the end of the clause
文法句型
whether + clause
whether + to-infinitive
whether...or not
whether...or...
用法筆記
In formal writing, 'whether' is preferred over 'if' for introducing indirect yes-no questions. When an infinitive follows, only 'whether' can be used — 'if' is ungrammatical before a to-infinitive.
常見錯誤
2. indicates that a fact or event stays true, or happens, no matter which of two op
indicates that a fact or event stays true, or happens, no matter which of two opposite alternatives is the case — for instance, a train running on schedule regardless of weather conditions.
Whether you pick the mountain trail or the coastal path, the view is wonderful.
whether...or... + same result
The concert will take place whether it rains or the sun is out.
whether + opposite pairs
Whether Tendai comes by plane or bus, her cousin will meet her at the station.
Kenji studies every evening whether he feels wide awake or extremely exhausted.
Whether the home team wins or loses, the supporters cheer loudly until the final whistle.
- no matter if
more informal and less common; usually introduces a single condition rather than two clear alternatives
- regardless of whether
more formal and wordy; used in academic or legal writing
文法句型
whether...or...
whether + clause + or not
用法筆記
This sense differs from sense 1 in that the outcome does not depend on which alternative is true. The main clause states a fact that is unaffected by the alternatives introduced by 'whether'.
常見錯誤
whether — pronoun
1. used to ask which specific person or thing from a known group of two is the one
used to ask which specific person or thing from a known group of two is the one being referred to or preferred.
The librarian offered two reading rooms and asked whether of the two the student preferred.
whether of the two — historically attested interrogative pronoun pattern
Between these two English translations of the poem, whether of them sounds more natural to you?
Two possible repairs were proposed for the old clock, but whether of the two was the more reliable remedy?
Zayd has two concert tickets for tonight — whether of the two would you like?
- which
standard modern alternative; works for any number of options, not limited to two
文法句型
whether + of + noun phrase
用法筆記
This sense is now very formal or old-fashioned. The historically attested pattern places 'whether' before 'of' + noun phrase ('whether of the two', 'whether of them'), where it functions as an interrogative pronoun meaning 'which one'. In modern everyday English, 'which' replaces 'whether' in this role. You will mainly encounter this usage in literary works and historical texts such as the King James Bible and Shakespeare.
常見錯誤
2. used to indicate that it makes no difference which one from a pair is chosen, be
used to indicate that it makes no difference which one from a pair is chosen, because the result or outcome will be the same.
Christopher may borrow whether of the two dictionaries on the shelf he prefers for his research.
whether of the two + noun — pronoun as fused relative head
You may take whether of the seats remains empty, for the other passengers will not mind at all.
Hikers may follow whether of the two paths they fancy, for the waterfall awaits at either end.
Sofia may try whether of the recipes seems more promising, for the cake always comes out well either way.
文法句型
whether + of + noun phrase (fused relative head)
用法筆記
Like pronoun sense 1, this sense is very formal or archaic. The attested pattern uses 'whether' as the head of a fused relative construction followed by 'of' + noun phrase ('whether of the two', 'whether of the seats'), corresponding to 'whichever one (of them)'. Do not use 'whether' as a bare determiner before a noun — that pattern is barely attested historically and will be read as an error. In modern English, 'whichever' or 'either' is used instead. You will rarely encounter this except in older literature or very formal legal documents.