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whether and if

Indirect questions​

Whether and if can both introduce indirect questions.

  • I’m not sure whether/if I’ll have time.
  • I asked whether/if she had any messages for me.

After verbs that are more common in a formal style, whether is preferred.

  • We discussed whether we should close the shop. (More normal than We discussed if …)

In a formal style, whether is usually preferred in a two-part question with or.

  • The Directors have not decided whether they will recommend a dividend or reinvest the profits.

If an indirect question is fronted (see here), whether is used.

  • Whether I’ll have time I’m not sure at the moment.

Prepositions​

After prepositions, only whether is possible.

  • There was a big argument about whether we should move to a new house. (not … about if we should move …)
  • I haven’t settled the question of whether I’ll go back home.

Infinitives​

Whether, but not if, is used before to-infinitives.

  • They can’t decide whether to get married now or wait. (not They can’t decide if to get married …)

Subject, complement and adverbial clauses​

When a question-word clause is a subject or complement, whether is normally preferred.

  • Whether we can stay with my mother is another matter. (subject)
  • The question is whether the man can be trusted. (complement)

The question is if … is also possible, but less common.

  • The question is if the man can be trusted.

Not used in echo questions​

If and whether are not normally used in ‘echo questions’ (see here).

  • ‘Are you happy?’ ‘Am I happy? No!’ (not … If/Whether I’m happy? …)