Install this theme
Whether or not to use “whether or not”

“Usually the or not is a space waster… . When, however, the intention is to give equal stress to the alternatives, the or not is mandatory… . One way [besides Cecil’s] to test whether the or not is necessary is to substitute if for whether. If the change to if produces a different meaning … the or not must be supplied.”
The Straight Dope: Is “whether or not” good grammar?

 
  1. kohlgill reblogged this from biorhythmist
  2. biorhythmist posted this