الرئيسية
Hi everyone
The following subject contains three essential lessons regarding the differences between
whether and if
what and which
rather than and would rather
Whether and If
We can generally use both whether and if to introduce indirect yes/no questions.
Cases where only whether is possible
After prepositions only whether is possible.
There was a big argument about whether we should move to a new house. (NOT There was a big argument about if )
Before to-infinitives, only whether is possible.
Which and What
There is little difference of meaning between which and what.
Which is preferred when the speaker has a limited number of choices in mind.
When the speaker is not thinking of a limited number of choices, what is used.
Before nouns, which and what can be used to ask questions about both people and things.
When these words are used as pronouns, without nouns immediately after them, we use who, not which, for people.
However, which can be used in questions about people's identity, and what can be used to ask about people's jobs and functions.
Rather than and Would rather
Rather than is normally used in parallel structures: for example with two adjectives, adverbs, nouns, infinitives or -ing forms. When the main clause has a to-infinitive, rather than is normally followed by an infinitive without to. An -ing form is also possible.
Would rather
Would rather means 'would prefer to'. It is followed by an infinitive without to.
Would rather + subject + past tense
We can use would rather to say that one person would prefer another or others to do something. We use a special structure with a past tense.
To talk about past actions, a past perfect tense is possible.
The following subject contains three essential lessons regarding the differences between
whether and if
what and which
rather than and would rather
Whether and If
We can generally use both whether and if to introduce indirect yes/no questions.
- I am not sure whether/if she will come.
- I asked whether/if she had any letters for me.
- I don't know whether/if I can come or not.
Cases where only whether is possible
After prepositions only whether is possible.
There was a big argument about whether we should move to a new house. (NOT There was a big argument about if )
- I haven't settled the question of whether I should settle abroad.
Before to-infinitives, only whether is possible.
- They can decide whether to get married now or wait.
Which and What
There is little difference of meaning between which and what.
- Which/what is the largest continent in the world?
- Which/what train did you come on?
Which is preferred when the speaker has a limited number of choices in mind.
- We have got white and brown bread. Which will you have?
- Which color do you want red, pink, blue or purple?
When the speaker is not thinking of a limited number of choices, what is used.
- What is your telephone number? (NOT Which is your phone number?)
- What language do they speak in Chile? (More natural than Which language)
Before nouns, which and what can be used to ask questions about both people and things.
- Which teacher do you like best?
- What writers do you like?
- Which color do you want red or brown?
When these words are used as pronouns, without nouns immediately after them, we use who, not which, for people.
- Who is your favorite writer? (NOT Which is your favorite writer?)
- Who won Alan or Peter? (NOT Which won)
However, which can be used in questions about people's identity, and what can be used to ask about people's jobs and functions.
- Which is your boy? The one blue shirt.
- What is your husband? He is a doctor.
Rather than and Would rather
Rather than is normally used in parallel structures: for example with two adjectives, adverbs, nouns, infinitives or -ing forms. When the main clause has a to-infinitive, rather than is normally followed by an infinitive without to. An -ing form is also possible.
- I would prefer to leave now rather than wait.
- You ought to admit your crime rather than defend it.
- I would prefer to go in August rather than in July.
- I decided to write rather than phone/phoning. (NOT than to phone)
Would rather
Would rather means 'would prefer to'. It is followed by an infinitive without to.
- Would you rather stay here or go home? (=Would you prefer to stay here or go home.)
Would rather + subject + past tense
We can use would rather to say that one person would prefer another or others to do something. We use a special structure with a past tense.
- Don't come today, I would rather you came tomorrow. (=I would prefer you to come tomorrow.)
- I would rather you posted this letter. (= I would like you to post this letter.)
To talk about past actions, a past perfect tense is possible.
- I would rather you hadn't done that. (= I wish you hadn't done that.)
