1 if 可以引導條件狀語從句,表示真實條件,為單純的假定,意為“如果,假如”,而whether 則不可。
If you don't study hard, you'll fail your exam. 如果你不努力學習,你考試可能不及格。
We will go on a picnic if it doesn't rain tomorrow. 如果明天不下雨,我們將去野餐。
2 if 可以引導虛擬條件句,表示假設條件,意為“如果,假如”,而whether 則不可。
If I were you, I would go there. 如果我是你,我就去那里。
If it were not raining outside, we would go to play football. 要不是外面在下雨的話,我們就去踢足球了。
3 if 和 whether 均可引導賓語從句,意為“是否,是不是”。
I wonder if/whether he has done his work. 我不知道他是否把工作做完了。
Please tell me if/whether you will come. 請告訴我你來不來。
4 whether 可以引導主語從句并放在句首,也可引導表語從句,而if 則不可。
Whether it is right or wrong remains a question. 它是否對仍是個問題。
The only question now is whether he is willing to help us. 目前唯一的問題是,他是否愿意幫助我們。
比較
If he comes or not is still unknown.(誤)
Whether he comes or not is still unknown.(正)他是否來還不得而知。
5 whether 可與不定式連用,而if 則不可。
I don't know if to stay or not. (誤)
I don't know whether to stay or not . (正)我不知道要不要留下來 。
6 whether...or 表示“不管……還是……”,既可以連接兩個詞,也可以連接兩個句子,用作狀語。而if 則不可。例如:
All the students in the class, whether boys or girls, have read the book. 全班所有的學生,不管是男生還是女生,都讀過這本書。
Whether you come today or tomorrow, it's the same to me. 不論你今天來還是明天來,對我都一樣。
7 whether or not 意為“是否”,是用作連詞的短語,連接句子。whether or not 可以一齊放在句首起連接作用,也可以分開,把or not放在句尾。而if... or not 只能分開使用,引導賓語從句。
I shall buy the coat whether she likes it or not . 不論她喜歡不喜歡,我都要買那件上衣。
Whether or not she comes is of no importance. (正)她來不來都不重要 。
Whether she comes or not is of no importance. (正)
Whether or no she comes is of no importance. (誤)
I wonder whether he'll come or not . (正)我不知道他是否來 。
I wonder if he'll come or not.(正)
I wonder if or not he'll come. (誤)
8 whether 可以引導讓步狀語從句,意為“不管”,而if 則不可。
I'll lend him the money whether you agree or not. 不管你同意不同意,我都將把錢借給他。