Word
whether
US/ˈhwɛðɝ/
UK/wˈɛðɐ/
Definitions
01expressing doubt or choice
B1 · Intermediate
conj. you use this to show a choice between two or more possibilities, often with the word 'or'.
conj. introduces an indirect question or a clause expressing doubt between alternatives, typically followed by 'or' or 'or not'.
日本語:かどうか※
“I am not sure whether I should call him now or wait until tomorrow.”
“The board remains undecided as to whether the proposed merger will yield long-term benefits for the shareholders.”
Usage
Often interchangeable with 'if' in indirect questions, though 'whether' is preferred in formal writing and when followed immediately by 'or not'.
Pitfall
I don't know weather it will rain.
I don't know whether it will rain.
Do not confuse 'whether' with 'weather' (the climate/temperature).
Synonyms
02regardless of which
B1 · Intermediate
conj. used to say that something is true in any of the cases you mention.
conj. introduces a disjunctive adverbial clause indicating that the main clause remains true regardless of which alternative is chosen.
“We are going for a walk whether it rains or not.”
“The regulations apply to all employees, whether they are working full-time or on a temporary contract.”
Usage
In this sense, 'whether' cannot be replaced by 'if' because it functions as a conditional adverbial rather than a noun clause.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “whether” in context.
Verb
01. ask whether
“She called to ask whether the meeting was still happening.”
verb + noun
02. decide whether
“We need to decide whether we should go by train or by bus.”
verb + noun
03. doubt whether
“I doubt whether he will arrive on time given the heavy traffic.”
verb + noun
04. know whether
“Do you know whether the shop is open on Sundays?”
verb + noun
05. wonder whether
“I wonder whether it will rain during the picnic tomorrow.”
verb + noun
Preposition
06. depending on whether
“The price changes depending on whether you book in advance.”
prep + noun + prep
07. regardless of whether
“The event will continue regardless of whether the sun is shining.”
prep + noun + prep
Etymology
From Middle English whether, whather, from Old English hweþer, hwæþer, from Proto-West Germanic hwaþar, from Proto-Germanic hwaþeraz, comparative form of *hwaz (“who”). Cognate with North Frisian weđer (“if, whether”), German weder (“neither”), Swedish var (“each, every”), Icelandic hvor (“each of two, which of two”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/whether
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0