Word Wise:

A year ago I admitted here that while there may be a way to add a search function to this blog so people could locate that post about gerunds or dangling participles they remember reading, I didn't know how to do it. I think I even promised that by this New Year's I'd find out and add it. Well, these past 12 months flew by awfully fast, haven't they? So, like last year I'm reduced to presenting here for you a list of all of 2008's posts and links to them. And I promise, swear to God, may the heavens strike me unconscious, by next year - really, seriously, no kidding, no joke, stop laughing - I will add a search function (if I can).

Jan. 6 - Ten to One

Jan. 12 - There is Nothin' like a Name, Nothin' in the World

Jan. 20 - Passion Jumps the Shark

Jan. 27 - Commasutra

Feb. 2 - Punctuation Situation

Feb. 9 - A Horse is a Horse, Of Course, Of Course

Feb. 16 - Bio Logic

Feb. 23 - R-E-S-P-E-C-T, Find Out What it Means to Me

March 1 - Twist & Shout

March 7 - Bullet Train (Of Thought)

March 15 - Flip, Don't Flop

March 21 - Mind Your Ps and Qs

March 29 - Verb Your Enthusiasm

April 5 - Bi-bi Confusion, See Ya Later Semi-Clarity!

April 12 - Compose. Comprise. Confused!

April 19 - Calling Collect

April 26 - And Your Point Is?

May 3 - All Mail, All the Time

May 10 - Thanks, But No Thanks

May 17 - Right of Way

May 24 - Gov 101

May 31 - It's About Time

June 9 - Kudospectacular

June 15 - Slap Dash

June 22 - Which Word when, Part III

June 29 - Blather. Rinse. Repeat.

July 5 - What Time is It?

July 13 - its gr8 2b able 2 txt in 160 ltrs but b carefl ur not letting it mpact how u rite or ul b sorry Ive red more of this l8ly creeps me out mayb im 2 old 4 this

July 20 - Hope Springs Eternal

July 21 - Gender Bender

July 28 - AP Style - Better Late Than Never

Aug. 4 - As I Was Saying

Aug. 11 - Comma Mia, Here I Go Again; My My, How Can I Resist You?

Aug. 18 - And Furthermore

Aug. 25 - Entitled to Your Opinion?

Sept. 2 - Entitled to Your Opinion - The Sequel

Sept. 8 - All About Peeve

Sept. 14 - Roots and Peeves Themselves Alone Are These

Sept. 22 - Season's Greetings

Oct. 6 - Splitskrieg

Oct. 13 - I've Got To Be Me

Oct. 16 - Proofreadapalooza

Oct. 26 - The Grinch Who Stole Cliches

Nov. 4 - Which Word when - The First in a Series

Nov. 10 - Which Word When - The Second in a Series

Nov. 22 - Take Two Ls and 2 Ns and Call Me In the Morning

Dec. 8 - Stormy Whether

Happy New Year!

December 08, 2008

Stormy Whether

Whether to add “or not” when using the word “whether” is simple.

If there’s a choice involved, use “whether” alone.

I didn’t know whether to wear the Black Watch plaid or the MacLeod of Lewis plaid. (The word “or” between the alternatives is the hint that “or not” is not necessary.)

Likewise, if it’s a choice between doing one thing or another – should I or shouldn’t I? – you can drop the “or not” and use “whether” or “if.”

I wondered whether [or if] I should wear the Stewart Green instead.

Sometimes you’ll want to use “or not” for emphasis.

I wanted to wear plaid whether I was the only one who did or not.

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Why "Word Wise"?

When I started to e-mail out a weekly writing tip to my Chicago colleagues at Edelman in 2002, little did I know how quickly how many people outside my office would start to request it. But word spread, as word is wont to do, and in 2006 the e-mail evolved into this blog. The tips, which are about grammar, usage and style, have a dual purpose – to remind my colleagues in PR of the power of the written word and, more generally, to support and perpetuate clear, concise, creative, honest, lively, stylish, compelling writing everywhere. In 2009 I started to add commentary about and links to stories and other blog posts related to the media, marketing, writing and, sometimes, just interesting stuff. For some reason, I also started Twittering (at SantowDan).