Whether … or …

Whether…or… can be used as a double conjunction.

An example is given below.

• Some lessons are easy. Some lessons are difficult. A student will have to learn all of them.

We can combine these three sentences into one using whether …or.

• A student will have to learn all the lessons whether they are easy or difficult.

More examples are given below.

• He might come. I don’t know.
• I don’t know whether he will come or not.
• She might recognize me. I don’t know.
• I don’t know whether she will recognize me or not.
• You may not like it. You will have to take this medicine.
• You will have to take this medicine whether you like it or not.
• She may or may not come with us. We will have to go.
• We will have to go whether she comes with us or not.

Notes

When the second part of this structure is negative, there are several possibilities.

Read the sentences given below.

• Whether you like it or whether you don’t, you will have to work on this project.
• Whether or not you like it, you will have to work on this project.
• Whether you like it or not, you will have to work on this project.

Another example is given below.

Susie does not like Peter. She will have to marry him.

Susie will have to marry Peter whether she likes him or not.

Whether or not she likes him, Susie will have to marry Peter.

Whether she likes Peter or whether she doesn't, Susie will have to marry him.