Whether or Not
Explore decisions that stay the same in either case, and discover the different uses of “whether or not.”
Preview
Questions with solutions-
1. Välj rätt svar.
What is the plan?
Whether or not it rains, we're having lunch at the cafe.
- Have lunch at the cafe in either kind of weather.
- Have lunch at the cafe only if it rains.
- Have lunch at the cafe only if it stays dry.
Does the weather change the decision?
Show solution
- Have lunch at the cafe in either kind of weather.
“Whether or not” covers both possibilities: rain and no rain. The lunch plan stays the same.
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2. Fyll i luckan.
Whether or ___ you come, I'll save you a slice of cake.
- no
- not
- none
The missing word makes the second possibility negative.
Show solution
Whether or not you come, I'll save you a slice of cake.
Use “not,” rather than “no” or “none,” to express the opposite possibility in “whether or not.”
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3. Sätt orden i rätt ordning.
Your classmate will share the notes even if you miss class.
- you the notes
- or not.
- whether
- you attend
- I'll send
The promise comes first; the attendance possibilities come afterward.
Show solution
I'll send you the notes whether you attend or not.
“Or not” can come at the end of the whether clause: “whether you attend or not.”
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4. Fyll i luckan.
The reservation stays in place in both situations.
___ we hear back or not, we'll keep the reservation.
- If
- Unless
- Whether
The opening clause presents two possibilities without making the plan depend on either one.
Show solution
Whether we hear back or not, we'll keep the reservation.
Use “whether,” not “if,” to introduce an “or not” clause at the beginning of this sentence.
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5. Sätt orden i rätt ordning.
The departure time is fixed; the transportation is not.
- by
- bus
- Whether we travel
- or
- train,
- by
- at seven.
- we'll leave
The two transportation options belong together before the departure plan.
Show solution
Whether we travel by bus or by train, we'll leave at seven.
“Whether” can introduce two stated alternatives, such as bus and train, instead of a possibility and its opposite.
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6. Välj rätt svar.
Which statement keeps the same commitment?
I'll return the book on Monday whether or not I've finished it.
- I'll return the book on Monday only if I've finished it.
- I'll return the book on Monday even if I haven't finished it.
- I'll keep the book until I've finished it, even if that is after Monday.
The return date does not depend on finishing the book.
Show solution
- I'll return the book on Monday even if I haven't finished it.
“Even if” highlights the less expected possibility here: returning a book before finishing it.
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7. Välj rätt svar.
What does the speaker ask the listener to do?
Whether or not you accept the offer, let us know by Friday.
- Reply by Friday with either decision.
- Reply by Friday only if accepting the offer.
- Reply by Friday only if declining the offer.
Is accepting the offer required, or is reporting the decision required?
Show solution
- Reply by Friday with either decision.
A whether clause can accompany a request. The listener is free to accept or decline, but should reply either way.
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8. Välj rätt svar.
Who is committed to an action in either case?
Nora: I'm not sure whether or not Sam will join the project.
Lee: I'll start the project whether or not Sam joins.- Nora only.
- Both Nora and Lee.
- Lee only.
One speaker expresses uncertainty; the other states a firm plan.
Show solution
- Lee only.
After “not sure,” the phrase introduces an unknown. In Lee's sentence, it makes Sam's decision irrelevant to the plan.
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9. Fyll i luckan.
We'll publish the schedule regardless ___ whether or not everyone has replied.
- to
- of
- on
“Regardless” needs a fixed preposition before this clause.
Show solution
We'll publish the schedule regardless of whether or not everyone has replied.
“Regardless of” introduces something that will not affect a decision. “Or not” makes both possibilities explicit.
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10. Välj rätt svar.
Which claim conflicts with this policy?
Whether or not a customer complains, we won't charge for the replacement.
- Customers who do not complain receive a free replacement.
- Only customers who complain receive a free replacement.
- Customers who complain also receive a free replacement.
Apply “won't charge” to both groups of customers.
Show solution
- Only customers who complain receive a free replacement.
“Or not” does not reverse the main clause. The replacement remains free in both cases, so a complaint is not required.
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11. Välj rätt svar.
What does this statement leave uncertain?
Whether or not we receive the grant, our team will continue the pilot project.
- Whether the grant will be awarded.
- Whether the team intends to continue the pilot project.
- Whether the team plans to stop the pilot project if the grant is refused.
Separate the possible event from the firm decision.
Show solution
- Whether the grant will be awarded.
“Whether or not” covers both possibilities; it does not tell you which one will actually happen.
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12. Välj rätt svar.
Which proposal is guaranteed feedback under this rule?
Whether or not your proposal is selected, you'll receive feedback, provided you submit it by Friday.
- A late proposal that is selected.
- A late proposal that is not selected.
- An on-time proposal that is not selected.
One detail does not matter, but a separate condition still applies.
Show solution
- An on-time proposal that is not selected.
“Whether or not” removes selection as a condition for feedback, but the Friday deadline still applies.