When to Use WHETHER and IF - What's the Difference? the words if and whether can be used interchangeably in informal writing but they are distinct in some ways. Find out when to use "whether" and "if" copyright: JROOZ REVIEW CENTER INC. http://www.jroozreview.com

1. What’s the Difference
Between Whether and If?
(when to use whether instead of
if, vice versa)
www.jroozreview.com

2. WHETHER
- is used on sentences to show
choices or alternatives
Remember:
- can have two possibilities
- it may have or may not have the word or
www.jroozreview.com

3. Sample Sentence:
The lifeguard was very irresponsible.
He did not care whether the swimmer
sink or swim in the pool.
www.jroozreview.com
choices
conditional clause (requires OR)

4. Sample Sentence:
I would like to know whether
you want wine or beer.
www.jroozreview.com
conditional clause (requires or)
choices

5. Sample Sentence:
Think about whether you really
want to explore that cave.
www.jroozreview.com
conditional clause with OR optional

6. Sample Sentence:
Drop a message whether you
are going to my birthday party.
www.jroozreview.com
conditional clause with OR optional

7. IF
- the result of the action actually
depends on a specific condition
Remember:
- the choices could be a yes or a no
- can have a positive or negative possibility
www.jroozreview.com

8. www.jroozreview.com
Types of IF Conditionals
Type I Conditional – Present Real Conditional
shows that when this action happens,
the other action is the most possible result

9. Sample Sentences:
If you turn this switch on,
it will set off an alarm.
www.jroozreview.com
Type I Conditional – Present Real Conditional
The kids will be very disappointed
if you do not bring any cake.

10. www.jroozreview.com
Types of IF Conditionals
Type II Conditional – Present Unreal Conditional
conditional is used when we want to
emphasize on present imagined situations.
This action would happen on
a certain unreal condition.

11. Sample Sentences:
If I had a lot of money, I would
spend my summer in the Bali.
www.jroozreview.com
Type II Conditional – Present Unreal Conditional
She would be very upset
if he did not call.

12. www.jroozreview.com
Types of IF Conditionals
Type III Conditional – Past Unreal Conditional
is used for imagined situations in the past.
It often shows regret on the action done.

13. Sample Sentences:
If I had known about the test,
I should have studied for it last night.
www.jroozreview.com
Type III Conditional – Past Unreal Conditional
She could have been hurt
if you did not protect her.

14. www.jroozreview.com
IF and WHETHER are used interchangeably
in informal writing but it is advised to
know the distinction between the two
because sometimes they have
different meanings.
REMEMBER:

15. Sample Sentences:
Joshua doesn’t have any idea
whether James would visit on Saturday.
www.jroozreview.com
WHETHER and IF can be used interchangeably
Joshua doesn’t have any idea
if James would visit on Saturday.

16. Sample Sentences:
Call me if you are going to
cook dinner tonight.
www.jroozreview.com
WHETHER and IF have different meanings
Call me whether you are going to
cook dinner tonight.
shows that the person should only talk to the speaker if he or she is
cooking, if not, then he/she doesn’t need to call
tells us that the person should tell the person whether
she is doing the cooking or not.

17. www.jroozreview.com
The formal rule is to use if when
you have a conditional sentence
and whether when you are
showing that two alternatives are
possible.

18. www.jroozreview.com
WE CAN HELP YOU
ACHIEVE YOUR TARGET SCORES IN
IELTS & TOEFL

19. www.jroozreview.com
IELTS.TOEFL
Baguio.Cebu.Davao.Makati.Manila