wheth·er
ˈ(h)we-t͟hər 
(ˌ)(h)wə-
—used as a function word usually with correlative or or with or whether to indicate (1) until the early 19th century a direct question involving alternatives; (2) an indirect question involving stated or implied alternatives
decide whether he should agree or raise objections
wondered whether to stay
; (3) alternative conditions or possibilitiessee me no more, whether he be dead or no—
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeareseated him next to her whether by accident or design
Phrases
whether or no
or whether or not
: in any case
they've only been married a very few weeks, whether or no—Thomas Hardy
Thomas HardyExamples of whether in a Sentence
Conjunction
That supposes I would have the wisdom to decide what is in fact right and what is wrong, and the humility to consider whether any action I could take would make things better or worse.
—P. D. James, The Private Patient, 2008
In his later years, Turing turned to the question of whether machines could be made to think the central question of artificial intelligence.
—Chuck Leddy, Boston Globe, 15 Jan. 2006
If you tell me that something is a pleasure, I do not know whether it is more like revenge, or buttered toast, or success, or adoration, or relief from danger, or a good scratch.
—C. S. Lewis, An Experiment in Criticism, 1961
I don't know whether they were invited.
She was uncertain whether to go or stay.
Pronoun
… we did not indeed know where it was, and so we might get a great deal, or a little, we did not know whether; …
—Daniel Defoe, The Adventures of Captain Singleton, 1720
P. D. James, The Private Patient, 2008
In his later years, Turing turned to the question of whether machines could be made to think the central question of artificial intelligence.
—Chuck Leddy, Boston Globe, 15 Jan. 2006
If you tell me that something is a pleasure, I do not know whether it is more like revenge, or buttered toast, or success, or adoration, or relief from danger, or a good scratch.
—C. S. Lewis, An Experiment in Criticism, 1961
I don't know whether they were invited.
She was uncertain whether to go or stay.
Pronoun
… we did not indeed know where it was, and so we might get a great deal, or a little, we did not know whether; …
—Daniel Defoe, The Adventures of Captain Singleton, 1720
Recent Examples on the Web
Aaron Kinney, The Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2017
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Conjunction
At the conclusion of the hearing, slated to last three days, Judge Lisa Novak will determine whether there is enough evidence for Li and Bayat to stand trial before a jury.
—Aaron Kinney, The Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2017
Articles Related to whether
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Cite this Entry
“Whether.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whether. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
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