If vs Whether - English In A Minute

When do we use 'if' and when do we use 'whether'?

Let's take a look.

The simple rule is that with conditional sentences

we use 'if', and when we have two options, we

use 'whether'.

'If I get hungry, I’ll have a snack.'

'But, I don’t know whether to have an apple

or a biscuit.'

When asking an indirect yes/ no question,

we can use either 'if' or 'whether' - both are

correct.

'Do you know if the apples are fresh?'

'Do you know whether the biscuits are any good?'

'Whether' is maybe a little bit more formal,

but with both questions there are only two

possible answers – yes or no.

Why don’t you try now! Write us a question

or a sentence using 'if' or 'whether' in the comments

to practise. We love hearing from you.