Spotlight PLUS4
Grammatik 14/2019
“If” and “whether”
“If” or
“whether”
can be used to
put questions
into reported
speech when
there is no
question
word, such as
“why”, “how”
or “when”.
Compare:- He asked,
“Where
is your
brother?”
He asked
where my
brother was. - He asked, “Is
your brother
at work?”
He asked if /
whether my
brother was
at work.
On The Grammar Page (page 50), Adrian Doff looks at the similarities and differ
ences between “if ” and “whether”. Here are some exercises to practise this.
- Rules!
Match each rule (A–E) to the correct example sentence (1–5).- Reporting questions in the past
Jane was asked some questions at a job interview. Tick the questions she can
report to her boyfriend using “if” or “whether”.A. How long did you work at that
hotel?
B. Did you enjoy your time there?
C. Why did you leave?D. Did you work at reception?
E. Have you worked since then?
F. Can you start here before
Christmas?- Reporting questions in the present
Jane is filling out an application form. What do they want to know about her?A. “Can you speak any other languages?”
They want to know if / whether.
B. “Have you ever worked in a hotel before?”
They want to know if / whether.
C. “Are you prepared to work weekends?”
They want to know if / whether.
D. “Do you have a driving licence?”
They want to know if / whether.EA. Use “if” or “whether” in indirect questions
in the present.
B. Use “if” or “whether” to report questions in
the past.
C. Use “if” or “whether” after phrases such
as “I wonder...”, “I’m not sure...” or “Do you
know...?”
D. Use “whether”, not “if”, before “to” + infini
tive.
E. Use “whether”, not “if”, with the phrase
“whether or not”.- He wants to know if /
whether I want to buy
that property. - I have to decide whether
to rent or to buy a flat. - He asked me if / whether
I needed a loan. - I want to move, whether
or not I buy that flat. - I’m not sure if / whether
that flat is for sale.
EM