whether
Introducing two possibilities
Whether typically introduces a clause containing alternatives or possibilities: I can’t decide whether to stay another night.
Whether can also take the place of if in a reported yes/no question: He asked whether he could borrow the car this afternoon.
Conditional clause marker
- unlessExcept if
- providedSupplied or given
- supposeAccept as true tentatively
- assumingAccepting as true unverified
granted · contingent · dependent · subject · stipulation · proviso · prerequisite · qualification
Lack of firm belief
- questionRequest for information
- unsureLacking confidence or certainty
- unclearNot easily understood
- undecidedNot having chosen
undetermined · dubious · questionable · iffy · uncertain · ambiguous · indeterminate · pending
Settled course of action
- optionAvailable course of action
- alternativeAnother available choice
- selectCarefully pick from options
- pickPointed breaking tool
choose · deliberate · preference · dilemma · crossroads · fork · both · one
Posing questions
- wonderingFeeling curiosity about something
- questioningSeeking answers through inquiry
- investigatingSeeking facts systematically
- determiningEstablishing with certainty
finding · discovering · ascertaining · establishing · verifying · checking · confirming · learning
if
Conditional clause marker
assuming · granted · contingent · dependent · subject · stipulation · proviso · prerequisite · qualification · or
doubt
Lack of firm belief
undecided · undetermined · dubious · questionable · iffy · uncertain · ambiguous · indeterminate · pending · tentative
decision
Settled course of action
- optionAvailable course of action
- alternativeAnother available choice
- selectCarefully pick from options
pick · choose · deliberate · preference · dilemma · crossroads · fork · both · one · other
asking
Posing questions
- wonderingFeeling curiosity about something
- questioningSeeking answers through inquiry
- investigatingSeeking facts systematically
determining · finding · discovering · ascertaining · establishing · verifying · checking · confirming · learning · knowing
- conjunctionsand, but, or, for, nor
- connectivesand, or, but, because, nor
- subordinationsubordinate clause, dependent clause, subordination, relative clause, noun clause
- subordinatorsthat, if, because, although, though
- homophoneshomophones, hear, here, see, sea
- question wordswhat, when, where, which, who
whethercertainly
Without any doubt
definitely · that · surely · undoubtedly · assuredly
whetherregardless
Despite the circumstances
regardless of · irrespective of · irrespective · unconditionally · in any case
- whether or notPhrase indicating both possibilities
- not know whether one is coming or goingExtremely confused and overwhelmed