We have a slightly unusual word choice post today, as we\u2019re looking at \u201cif\u201d and \u201cwhether.\u201d Although these words look and sound different, they overlap in meaning. And this means they\u2019re often misused. To help you avoid errors, then, check out our short guide to how they should be used below.\nYes\/No Questions (\u201cWhether\u201d or \u201cIf\u201d)\nA lot of the confusion arises because \u201cwhether\u201d and \u201cif\u201d both imply uncertainty. They can therefore be used interchangeably when referring to something that could be posed as a yes\/no question. For example:\nI\u2019m not sure if my grammar is correct. \u2713\nI\u2019m not sure whether my grammar is correct. \u2713\nThese sentences are not yes\/no questions, but they could be rephrased as one (i.e., \u201cIs my grammar correct?\u201d). As such, either term can be used here, although \u201cwhether\u201d is the more formal choice in cases like this.\nConditional Statements (\u201cIf\u201d Only)\nThe only time \u201cif\u201d must be used instead of \u201cwhether\u201d is in a conditional sentence (i.e., when setting out a condition for something else to occur):\nIf you make an error, I will correct it. \u2713\nWhether you make an error, I will correct it. \u2717\n\u201cWhether\u201d is wrong here because it implies more than one possibility. But, in this case, we\u2019re simply setting out a condition and a consequence.\nChoices (\u201cWhether\u201d Only)\nIn other situations, we typically use \u201cwhether\u201d instead of \u201cif.\u201d A common error is using \u201cif\u201d when referring to a choice between two or more options:\nI need to decide whether I\u2019m going to write a story or an essay. (Choice)\nI need to decide if I\u2019m going to write a story or an essay. (Conditional)\nThe \u201cwhether\u201d sentence is presenting a choice: writing a story or an essay. The \u201cif\u201d sentence is conditional:\u00a0 the speaker is deciding whether to write anything, not what to write. And while both sentences are grammatical, they differ in meaning, so the second one would be incorrect if describing a choice.\n\nThe same distinction applies even when the second option is only implied:\nLet the examiner know whether you need help. (Choice)\nLet the examiner know if you need help. (Conditional)\nIn the first sentence, we\u2019re told to inform someone whether or not we need help (i.e., a response is required either way). In the second, we\u2019re told to ask for help only if we need it. And the difference between these two is key!\n\n\u201cWhether\u201d is also preferred after prepositions and before infinitive verbs.\n\nAs a result, the best approach is typically to only use \u201cif\u201d for conditionals, as \u201cwhether\u201d is correct (or more formal) in more situations.\nSummary: Whether or If?\nWe have seen that \u201cif\u201d and \u201cwhether\u201d are interchangeable in some cases, which can make them confusing. But remember:\n\n \tUncertainty: You can use both \u201cif\u201d and \u201cwhether\u201d to express uncertainty.\n \tConditional Sentences: You should only use \u201cif\u201d for conditionals (i.e., when setting out a condition for something to occur or happen).\n \tChoices: Only use \u201cwhether\u201d for choices between two or more options.\n\nIn addition, \u201cwhether\u201d is more formal than \u201cif\u201d in most situations. As such, it is often the best term, except in conditional sentences (which always use "if"). And if you would like any more help with word choice in your writing, our proofreaders are always available to check your work.
"Kama ilivyoelezwa hapo juu, ""U"" ni neno la kawaida la ""u"" na ""u"" ni maneno ya kawaida ya ""u"" na ""u"" na ""u"" na ""u"" na ""u"" na ""u"" na ""u"" na ""u"" na ""u"" na ""u"" na ""u"" na ""u"" na ""u"" na ""u"" na ""u"" na ""u"" na ""u"" na ""u"" na ""u"" na ""u"" na ""u"" na ""u"" na ""u"" na ""u"" na ""u"" na ""u"" na ""u"" na ""u"" na ""u"" na ""u"" na ""u"" na ""u"" na ""u"" na ""u"" na ""u"" na ""u"" na ""u"" na ""u"" na ""u"" na ""u"" na ""u"" na ""u"" na ""u""."""" Hii inamaanisha kwamba mara nyingi hutumiwa vibaya. Ili kuepuka makosa, angalia mwongozo wetu mfupi wa jinsi ya kutumia chini. Kwa hiyo zinaweza kutumiwa kwa kubadilishana wakati wa kutaja kitu ambacho kinaweza kuelezwa kama swali la ndiyo au hapana. Kwa mfano: \nI\u2019m sina uhakika kama sarufi yangu ni sahihi. Si uhakika kama sarufi yangu ni sahihi. "Hizi sentensi si maswali ya ""ndiyo"" au ""hapana,"" lakini zinaweza kuandikwa tena kama moja (yaani, ""Je, sarufi yangu ni sahihi?"")." Kama vile, neno lolote linaweza kutumika hapa, ingawa u201cwhether ni chaguo rasmi zaidi katika kesi kama hii.Conditional Statements (If Only) ni wakati pekee u201cwhether inapaswa kutumika badala ya u201cwhether katika sentensi ya masharti (yaani, wakati wa kuweka hali ya kitu kingine kutokea). Ikiwa utafanya kosa, nitalirekebisha. "Uwezekano wa ""Uwezekano wa"" ni sawa na ""Uwezekano wa"" kwa sababu ina maana ya uwezekano zaidi ya moja." Katika hali nyingine, kwa kawaida tunatumia u201f badala ya u201f.Kosa la kawaida ni kutumia u201f wakati wa kutaja chaguo kati ya chaguzi mbili au zaidi: Ninahitaji kuamua ikiwa nitaandika hadithi au insha. """Ninahitaji kuamua kama nitaandika hadithi au insha." (Conditional) The sentence is presenting a choice: writing a story or an essay. (conditional) The sentence is presenting a choice: writing a story or an essay. "Hii ni sentensi ya ""conditional"" ambayo inamaanisha kwamba msemaji anaamua kama ataandika kitu chochote, sio nini cha kuandika." "Hata hivyo, maneno hayo mawili yana maana tofauti, kwa hiyo neno la pili halingekuwa sahihi ikiwa linaelezea chaguo. ""Utofauti huo unatumika hata wakati chaguo la pili linamaanisha tu: ""Mruhusu mtihani ajue kama unahitaji msaada.""" (Chaguo) <unk> Let examiner kujua kama unahitaji msaada. Katika sentensi ya kwanza, tunaambiwa kumjulisha mtu ikiwa tunahitaji msaada au la (yaani, majibu yanahitajika kwa njia yoyote). Katika sehemu ya pili, tunaambiwa kuomba msaada tu ikiwa tunahitaji. "Kama ""u"" ni neno la kawaida, ""u"" ni neno la kawaida, ""u"" ni neno la kawaida, ""u"" ni neno la kawaida, ""u"" ni neno la kawaida, ""u"" ni neno la kawaida, ""u"" ni neno la kawaida, ""u"" ni neno la kawaida, ""u"" ni neno la kawaida, ""u"" ni neno la kawaida, ""u"" ni neno la kawaida." "Kumbuka: ""Uncertainty"" inaweza kutumika kwa maneno ""u201f"" na ""u201f"" kuelezea kutokuwa na uhakika, ""conditional sentences"" inaweza kutumika kwa maneno ""conditional"" na ""choice"" inaweza kutumika kwa maneno ""choice between two or more options"" na ""choice between two or more options""." Kama vile, ni mara nyingi neno bora, isipokuwa katika sentensi masharti (ambayo daima kutumia "kama"). Kama unataka msaada zaidi katika kuchagua maneno katika maandishi yako, wasomaji wetu wa maandishi ni daima inapatikana kuangalia kazi yako.