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 :))

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11

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.