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mcelroytutoring
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Joined: 10 Jul 2015
Last visit: 28 Apr 2026
Posts: 1,207
Given Kudos: 282
Status:Expert GMAT, GRE, and LSAT Tutor / Coach
Affiliations: Harvard University, A.B. with honors in Government, 2002
Location: United States (CO)
Age: 45 (10 years and counting on GMAT Club!)
GMAT 1: 770 Q47 V48
GMAT 2: 730 Q44 V47
GMAT 3: 750 Q50 V42
GMAT 4: 730 Q48 V42 (Online)
GRE 1: Q168 V169
GRE 2: Q170 V170
Expert reply
12 Jul 2016, 16:22
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(The correct word choice for the title is below.)
These days, the word “if” is often incorrectly substituted for of the word “whether”.
Here’s the rule: The word “if” should be used in preparation for 1 scenario only.
For example:
"If it rains, then the game will be cancelled." (the 1 scenario = it rains)
"I will go home early if the game is cancelled." (the 1 scenario = the game is cancelled)
However, if the sentence refers to both scenarios (in this case, the game is either cancelled or not cancelled) then the word “whether” is the correct choice.
For example:
"I don’t know whether the game will be cancelled" = correct
"I don’t know if the game will be cancelled" = incorrect
"I will be there whether or not the game is cancelled." = correct
-Brian
(correct word choice for the title: "whether")
For information on the "Whether" vs. "Whether or Not" issue, please check out this post.
These days, the word “if” is often incorrectly substituted for of the word “whether”.
Here’s the rule: The word “if” should be used in preparation for 1 scenario only.
For example:
"If it rains, then the game will be cancelled." (the 1 scenario = it rains)
"I will go home early if the game is cancelled." (the 1 scenario = the game is cancelled)
However, if the sentence refers to both scenarios (in this case, the game is either cancelled or not cancelled) then the word “whether” is the correct choice.
For example:
"I don’t know whether the game will be cancelled" = correct
"I don’t know if the game will be cancelled" = incorrect
"I will be there whether or not the game is cancelled." = correct
-Brian
(correct word choice for the title: "whether")
For information on the "Whether" vs. "Whether or Not" issue, please check out this post.
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21 Apr 2018, 12:09
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This is helpful and very easily understandable. Do you know whether ( 
) this list of scenarios concerning the usage of these two words is complrehensive w.r.t the GMAT?
) this list of scenarios concerning the usage of these two words is complrehensive w.r.t the GMAT?
Archived Topic
Hi there,
This topic has been closed and archived due to inactivity or violation of community quality standards. No more replies are possible here.
Where to now? Join ongoing discussions on thousands of quality questions in our Verbal Questions Forum
Still interested in this question? Check out the "Best Topics" block above for a better discussion on this exact question, as well as several more related questions.
Thank you for understanding, and happy exploring!
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