Class 17-2: A Noun Clause that Starts with whether or if
“I don’t know whether I should allow you to board the plane with this mysterious box.”
Rule: Noun clauses that start with whether or if are used to answer questions that you do not know the answer to. Whether and if are usually interchangeable. |
Examples: Question: Is her dad a teacher? Answer: I don’t know if her dad is a teacher. Question: Are you going to the party? Answer: I don’t know whether I’m going to the party. Question: Is he okay? Answer: I don’t know if he’s hurt or not. |
Exercise
Exercise 1: Finish the sentence. Start each noun clause with whether or if.
1. Question: Does she live in Ohio? | Answer: I don’t know: whether she lives in Ohio.
2. Question: Are you going to the movies later? | Answer: I don’t know: _________________________.
3. Question: Is she a Native American? | Answer: I don’t know: _________________________.
4. Question: Can they go to the restaurant later? | Answer: I don’t know: _________________________.
5. Question: Does Mike have an extra pencil? | Answer: I don’t know: _________________________.
6. Question: Are Mike and Sam still fighting? | Answer: I don’t know: _________________________.
7. Question: Does anyone know whether it will rain today? | Answer: I don’t know: _________________________.
8. Question: Is Thomas still in the hospital? | Answer: I don’t know: _________________________.
9. Question: Are you all still going to California? | Answer: I don’t know: _________________________.
10. Question: Is she hurt? | Answer: I don’t know: _________________________.
Tag:Noun Clauses