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#2 (permalink) Wed Feb 18, 2009 19:41 pm 'If' versus 'Whether' |
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| both of them are correct |
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Snoowoo I'm new here and I like it ;-)
Joined: 18 Feb 2009 Posts: 18
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#3 (permalink) Wed Feb 18, 2009 19:41 pm 'If' versus 'Whether' |
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| Both seem reasonable. |
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SkiIucK I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 09 Oct 2006 Posts: 850
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#4 (permalink) Thu Feb 19, 2009 13:09 pm 'If' versus 'Whether' |
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| yes if this is possible than go for this option. |
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Qadirttt New Member

Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 7 Location: UAE
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#5 (permalink) Thu Feb 19, 2009 14:46 pm 'If' versus 'Whether' |
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Hi Gray,
The use of 'whether' introduces the idea of two possibilities. 'I don't know if it's possible' simply means you doubt the possibility of something. 'I don't know whether it's possible' introduces the idea that it may or may not be possible.
Alan _________________ English as a Second Language You can read my ESL story Present Simple |
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Alan Co-founder

Joined: 27 Sep 2003 Posts: 13891 Location: UK
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#6 (permalink) Thu Feb 19, 2009 15:43 pm 'If' versus 'Whether' |
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if or whether. In informal writing, both if and whether are standard for introducing a clause indicating uncertainty after a verb such as ask, doubt, know, learn, or see: We shall soon learn whether (or if) it is true. In such contexts, however, the use of if can sometimes create ambiguities. Depending on the intended meaning, the sentence Let her know if she is invited might be better paraphrased as Let her know whether she is invited or If she is invited, let her know. http://www.bartleby.com/64/C003/0164.html _________________ con·text - The part of a text or statement that surrounds a particular word or passage and determines its meaning. |
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Milanya I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 29 Dec 2008 Posts: 923 Location: Texas, USA (at present)
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#7 (permalink) Thu Feb 19, 2009 18:27 pm 'If' versus 'Whether' |
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| Alan wrote: |
Hi Gray,
The use of 'whether' introduces the idea of two possibilities. 'I don't know if it's possible' simply means you doubt the possibility of something. 'I don't know whether it's possible' introduces the idea that it may or may not be possible.
Alan |
Oh, the difference in the meaning is subtle. I would never forget the usage now.
| Milanya wrote: |
| Depending on the intended meaning, the sentence Let her know if she is invited might be better paraphrased as Let her know whether she is invited or If she is invited, let her know. |
Milanya,
Isn't it correct to stick to the usage suggested by Alan? Or you see things differently? _________________ First lesson - English, not english. I, not i. ~A student of English |
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Gray I'm here quite often ;-)

Joined: 21 Nov 2008 Posts: 978 Location: Proxima Centauri
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#8 (permalink) Thu Feb 19, 2009 18:56 pm 'If' versus 'Whether' |
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I absolutely agree with Alan that there might be a slight difference in usage. I just see broader possibilities than he has given in his post. _________________ con·text - The part of a text or statement that surrounds a particular word or passage and determines its meaning. |
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Milanya I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 29 Dec 2008 Posts: 923 Location: Texas, USA (at present)
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#9 (permalink) Thu Feb 19, 2009 19:20 pm 'If' versus 'Whether' |
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Good!
Alan _________________ English as a Foreign Language You can read my EFL story Progressive Forms |
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Alan Co-founder

Joined: 27 Sep 2003 Posts: 13891 Location: UK
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| 'to' vs 'for': Planing is important for/to long-term success | Meaning of "being away"? |