G5: Noun Clauses II - if / whether

by Tom Rohrbach

Multiple Choice Quiz

Do you know how to make noun clauses using "if" or "whether"? Let's find out!

"IF" and "WHETHER" Noun Clauses - patterns / word order
CORRECT OR WRONG?	PATTERN	EXAMPLE:
NOUN CLAUSE as OBJECT:
ü	if + clause	I don't know ... if the package has arrived yet.
ü	if + clause + *or not*	I don't know ... if the package has arrived yet or not.
X	*~~if or not~~* ~~+ clause~~	I don't know ... ~~if or not the package has arrived yet.~~
ü	*whether* + clause	I don't know ... whether the package has arrived yet.
ü	*whether* + clause + *or not*	I don't know ... whether the package has arrived yet or not.
ü	*whether or not* + clause	I don't know ... whether or not the package has arrived yet.
NOTE: The clause in every "if" or "whether" noun clause has regular sentence order, not question order.
NOUN CLAUSE as SUBJECT:
X	If ~~+ clause~~	~~If the experiment succeeded~~ ... is not known.
X	If + clause + *or not*	~~If the experiment succeeded or not~~ ... is not known.
X	*~~If or not~~* ~~+ clause~~	~~If or not the experiment succeeded~~ ... is not known.
ü	*Whether* + clause	Whether the experiment succeeded ... is not known.
ü	*Whether* + clause + *or not*	Whether the experiment succeeded or not ... is not known.
ü	*Whether or not* + clause	Whether or not the experiment succeeded ... is not known.
NOTE: We don't use "if" noun clauses as the subject of a sentence because they are confusing - they sound like conditionals!

Below, you will see a regular yes/no question, followed by a related sentence that includes a noun clause.

ONE of the answers is wrong, and the others are all correct.

Can you find the wrong answer? Good luck!

“Has the mail arrived yet?”
Do you know __ [practice with “if”]
WHICH ANSWER IS WRONG?
1. if the mail has arrived yet?
2. if the mail has arrived yet or not?
3. if or not the mail has arrived yet?
“Will the project be finished soon?”
I don’t know __ [practice with “whether”]
WHICH ANSWER IS WRONG?
1. whether or not the project will be finished soon.
2. whether the project will be finished soon.
3. whether the project or not will be finished soon
4. whether the project will be finished soon or not.
“Does intelligent life exist on other planets?”
__ is a hotly debated topic among scientists.
WHICH ANSWER IS WRONG?
1. If intelligent life exists on other planets
2. Whether intelligent life exists on other planets
3. Whether or not intelligent life exists on other planets
4. Whether intelligent life exists on other planets or not
“Can you come with us to the company party this weekend?”
I’m not sure __
WHICH ANSWER IS WRONG?
1. if or not I can come.
2. if I can come or not.
3. whether I can come.
4. whether I can come or not.
“Did Charlie sell his BMW already?”
Let’s find out __
WHICH ANSWER IS WRONG?
1. whether Charile has sold his BMW already.
2. if Charlie has sold his BMW already.
3. if or not Charlie has sold his BMW already.
4. whether Charlie has sold his BMW already or not.
“Does that new laptop have a detachable keyboard?”
We want to know __
WHICH ANSWER IS WRONG?
1. if that new laptop has a detachable keyboard.
2. if that new laptop has a detachable keyboard or not.
3. whether or not that new laptop has a detachable keyboard.
4. whether that new laptop or not has a detachable keyboard.
“Are we there yet?”
The kids are asking __
WHICH ANSWER IS WRONG?
1. if we're there yet.
2. if we're there yet or not.
3. if or not we're there yet.
4. whether we're there yet.
“Is the boss going to hire any new workers next month?”
I wonder __
WHICH ANSWER IS WRONG?
1. whether the boss is going to hire any new workers next month?
2. whether the boss is going to hire any new workers next month.
3. whether or not the boss is going to hire any new workers next month.
4. whether the boss is going to hire any new workers next month or not.
“Should we wait for your sister?”
I asked __
WHICH ANSWER IS WRONG?
1. if should we wait for your sister.
2. if we should wait for your sister.
3. whether we should wait for your sister or not.
4. whether we should wait for your sister.
“Have you ever played lacrosse?”
Tell me __
WHICH ANSWER IS WRONG?
1. whether you have ever played lacrosse.
2. if you have ever played lacrosse.
3. if you have ever played lacrosse or not.
4. if have you ever played lacrosse or not.
“Excuse me, is there a bus stop near here?”
I need to know __
WHICH ANSWER IS WRONG?
1. is there a bus stop near here.
2. if there is a bus stop near here.
3. whether there is a bus stop near here.
4. whether or not there is a bus stop near here.
“Are you married?”
I’m sorry. __ is none of your business!
WHICH ANSWER IS WRONG?
1. Whether I am married or not
2. If I am married
3. Whether or not I am married
4. Whether I am married