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If vs. Whether . . .

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If vs. Whether . . . [#permalink] New post 19 Oct 2006, 09:17
Can someone clarify?

From my understanding, if is used for situations that need an "if . . . then"
and whether is used for choice of one of two things.

I don't know if I will go to the party = incorrect

I don't know whether I will go to the party = correct

Wesley Snipes knew that if he didn't pay taxes, he would get caught. = correct.

is this correct?
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Re: If vs. Whether . . . [#permalink] New post 19 Oct 2006, 09:19
kidderek wrote:
Can someone clarify?

From my understanding, if is used for situations that need an "if . . . then"
and whether is used for choice of one of two things.

I don't know if I will go to the party = incorrect

I don't know whether I will go to the party = correct

Wesley Snipes knew that if he didn't pay taxes, he would get caught. = correct.

is this correct?


Hypothetical tone (would) is always preceded by whether.
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Re: If vs. Whether . . . [#permalink] New post 19 Oct 2006, 10:24
kidderek wrote:
Can someone clarify?

From my understanding, if is used for situations that need an "if . . . then"
and whether is used for choice of one of two things.

I don't know if I will go to the party = incorrect

I don't know whether I will go to the party = correct

Wesley Snipes knew that if he didn't pay taxes, he would get caught. = correct.

is this correct?




Yes kidderek u r perfectly right
If is used when something is imperative,absolutely essential or else another condition does not stand.
Whereas whether is used when we have two outcomes to the first condition.
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 [#permalink] New post 19 Oct 2006, 13:25
Can someone give some more examples of hypothetical scenarios and when to use if or whether..

Thanks,
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 [#permalink] New post 25 Oct 2006, 07:11
This might be far-fetched and all-inclusive, but for the purpose of the gmat, if "whether" can be used, it should always be used. If "whether" cannot be used, then "if . . . then" must be used.
  [#permalink] 25 Oct 2006, 07:11
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