if or whether

“If” is used frequently in casual speech and writing where some otherswould prefer “whether”: “I wonder if you would be willing to dress up asa giant turnip for the parade?” Revise to “I wonder whether. . . .” “If"can’t really be called an error, but when you are discussing twoalternative possibilities, “whether” sounds more polished. (The twopossibilities in this example are: 1) you would be willing or 2) youwouldn’t. In sentences using “whether” “or not” is often understood.)Don’t substitute the very different word “whither,” which means “where.”

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• reply back vs reply
• underlining vs underlying
• hyperdermic vs hypodermic
• acapella vs a capella vs a cappella
• absorbtion vs absorption
• hock vs hawk
• disgression vs discretion
• pause for concern vs cause for concern, pause
• weiner vs wiener
• peasant vs pheasant

News & Articles

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• If not McKenna, others could challenge Inslee in 2016
  If you're a Republican with thoughts of running for governor in 2016 know this: Rob McKenna will not stand in your way. He's told insiders of the Grand Old Party he's not interested in a rematch with Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee to whom he lost by a couple percentage points in November.
  June 13, 2013 - Everett Herald
• If U.S. does not arm Syria's rebels, Arabs, Europeans may
  By Arshad Mohammed WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Among the consequences facing U.S. President Barack Obama if he decides against arming Syria's rebels is that Arab and European states may step in more aggressively, perhaps further fracturing rebel forces. Having watched government forces seize the strategic town of Qusair from the rebels last week, Obama's senior national security advisers have held a ...
  June 13, 2013 - Reuters via Yahoo! News
• If Apple designer Jony Ive ruled the world
  A new Tumblr amusingly shows us what it would be like if other products and logos had Apple design chief's newfound adoration for colorful gradients and minimalism. Originally posted at Crave
  June 13, 2013 - CNET

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• Scan predicts whether therapy or meds will best lift depression
  Pre-treatment scans of brain activity predicted whether depressed patients would best achieve remission with an antidepressant medication or psychotherapy, in a study that may help mental health treatment decision-making move beyond trial-and-error. The study sought to identify a biomarker that could predict which type of treatment a patient would benefit from based on the state of his or her ...
  June 13, 2013 - Science Daily
• Court to rule on whether Sisk records can be released
  The Eighth Judicial District Court will determine Monday whether the Keokuk Police Department is entitled to a protective order that would prevent the release of records regarding a sexual abuse lawsuit.
  June 13, 2013 - Keokuk Daily Gate City
• Utah to decide whether to go greener in energy production
  Utah to decide whether to go greener in energy production by Taylor W. Anderson The Salt Lake Tribune Published Jun 12, 2013 05:04PM MDT Renewable energy developers representing more than $620 million in proposed wind and solar projects are awaiting a ruling by the state’s top utility regulators to decide whether they can move forward or must abandon Utah for greener states. The Utah Public ...
  June 12, 2013 - The Salt Lake Tribune