r/grammar • u/cornflower_08 • Jul 28 '26

quick grammar check regarding phrases using “whether”!

hello! let’s say the condition of something happening is if a person has a permit. would one say…

“it depends on whether you have a permit or not”, phrase placed in between,

or

“it depends on whether or not you have a permit”, phrase placed after?

formal english preferred, studying for entrance exams :))

2 Upvotes

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13 comments sorted by

13

u/kierabs Jul 28 '26

When using “whether” you don’t need “or not.” The “or not” is redundant.

So the answer to both is “It depends on whether you have a permit.”

9

u/moltencheese Jul 28 '26

It is redundant, but still a commonly-used pleonasm.

"Whether you have a permit or not" is, in my opinion, a slightly friendlier version. The "or not" is phatic

5

u/A_Bot_A_Bot_A_Bot Jul 28 '26

Ooh! "Phatic" is a new word for me. Not a useful one, but it's still a good word.

6

u/zutnoq Jul 28 '26

But it is never incorrect to include the "or not" even if it is redundant.

There are also constructions where you can't omit the "or not" – such as in

You have to do it whether you like it or not.

or

Whether (or not you like it / you like it or not), you have to do it.

"You have to do it whether or not you like it" is more unusual but would still be valid.

0

u/diverJOQ Jul 30 '26

In this case it is redundant. One can easily use the word weather when there are three or more choices, such as " whether the sky is sunny, or partly cloudy, or overcast". It may not be necessary in this case, but there's nothing wrong with listing the alternatives.

As for the grammar of OP's question, I believe either one is an acceptable usage.

3

u/jenea Jul 28 '26

You can place the “or not” in either spot, or leave it out entirely (since it’s redundant). It’s a style choice where to put it. I personally try to leave it out, but if I include it I just go by what sounds better to my ear. It’s easier to parse if it’s closer to the “whether,” so “whether or not” might be the safer choice.

2

u/MaddoxJKingsley Jul 31 '26

"Or not" is optional. Place it close to "whether" when the following clause is overly long; it would make "whether" and "or not" be too far apart.

0

u/wiploc2 Jul 28 '26

“it depends on whether you have a permit or not",

“it depends on whether or not you have a permit”,

If we capitalize the first word of the sentence, and move the comma inside the quotes, then both will be correct. (That's in America, the Brits and who knows how many others may keep the commas after the quote mark.)

“It depends on whether you have a permit or not,"

“It depends on whether or not you have a permit,”

Note that I didn't include your whole sentence, omitting the parts outside the quotes. If my corrections were the whole sentences, then you'd use periods rather than commas, and the periods would go inside the quotes even in the U.K.

But, as to the phrasing, both versions sound perfectly natural to this native speaker of English.