Weather and Whether

Use 'weather' for the sky outside and 'whether' for choices.

'Weather' and 'whether' sound alike but have different meanings. 'Weather' is about what is happening outside: rain, sun, wind, snow. 'The weather was stormy. ' 'Whether' introduces a choice or a question, often with 'or': 'I can't decide whether to read or draw. ' A trick for remembering: 'weather' has 'eat' inside it, and you might eat a picnic in nice weather.

'Whether' starts with wh, like other question words such as what, when, and which. Both appear together in: 'We will check the weather to see whether we can go hiking. ' The first is about the sky; the second asks a yes-or-no question about going.

• 1weather = conditions outside.
• 2whether = choice or question, often with 'or'.
• 3whether starts with wh, like question words.