The document discusses the differences between using "whether" and "if" in English. It explains that both conjunctions can be used to introduce indirect yes/no questions or when giving two alternatives. However, "whether" should be used before infinitives, after prepositions, before "or not", and when it is the subject or complement of a clause. "If" should only be used to introduce a condition in a conditional sentence.

1. WHETHER OR
IF?
A presentation by Lola Domínguez

2. WHETHER OR IF?
Choosing between these two conjunctions
becomes a problem for most English language
students.
Whether to use “whether”
or whether to use “if”.
That is the question…

3. WHETHER OR IF?
When it comes to picking up one of them,
there are three possibilities:
A. That both are possible
B. That only “whether” is possible
C. That only “if” is possible

4. A. BOTH ARE POSSIBLE
1. With indirect yes/no - questions
-She asked if/whether I liked her new
haircut.

5. A. BOTH ARE POSSIBLE
2. When two alternatives are given and “or” is
used.
-I would like to know whether she tells the
truth or she is a liar. (formal)
-I would like to know if she tells the truth
or she is a liar. (informal)

6. B. USE ONLY WHETHER
1. Before to - infinitive.
-“When they call the roll in the Senate,
the Senators do not know whether to
answer “present” or “not guilty”.
Theodore Roosevelt

7. B. USE ONLY WHETHER
2. After a preposition.
-“There are doubts about whether the
system is safe”.
3. Before “or not”.
-”When I was younger, I could remember
anything, whether it had happened or not”
Mark Twain

8. B. USE ONLY WHETHER
4. When the conjunction starts a clause that
is the sentence subject or complement.
-“Whether you're an honest man, or whether
you're a thief, depends on whose solicitor has
given me my brief”.
Benjamin Franklin
-”I don´t care whether you sink or swim”

9. C. USE ONLY IF
Use 'if' to introduce a condition in a
conditional sentence. .
“If one could only teach the English how to
talk, and the Irish how to listen, society here
would be quite civilized”.
Oscar Wilde

10. C. USE ONLY IF
Use 'if' to introduce a condition in a
conditional sentence. .
“If one could only teach the English how to
talk, and the Irish how to listen, society here
would be quite civilized”.
Oscar Wilde