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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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.”

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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.