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Sound-alikes

Weather vs Whether

What is the difference between weather and whether?

Use weather for rain, sun and temperature, and whether when talking about a choice or doubt, like "if".

Weather vs Whether at a glance

  • weather

    /ˈweðə/ · noun

    The conditions outside, like rain, sun, wind and temperature.

    • The weather was perfect for a picnic.
    • Have you checked the weather forecast?
  • whether

    /ˈweðə/ · conjunction

    Used to talk about a choice between possibilities; if.

    • I'm not sure whether to stay or go.
    • We'll go whether it rains or not.
    “whether” in the vocabulary guide

How to remember it

Weather has "eat" in it: you eat outside when the weather is nice. Whether starts with wh, like which: which option?

Good to know

Weather can also be a verb meaning to get through a difficult time: to weather the storm.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: I don't know weather he's coming.

    Right: I don't know whether he's coming.

  • Wrong: The whether in London is changeable.

    Right: The weather in London is changeable.

Quick quiz

  1. 1.Ask her she wants tea or coffee.

  2. 2.The is getting colder.

  3. 3.I can't decide to buy it.

Pick the right word for each gap.

Often confused too