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