if it is necessary or not vs whether it is necessary or not

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Whether it is necessary or not' is more formal and is more often used in written English. 'If it is necessary or not' is more informal and can be used in spoken English. The choice between them depends on the level of formality you want to convey.

Explained by Jennifer
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: March 11, 2025 • 5701 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in spoken English.

"if it is necessary or not"

This phrase is more informal and suitable for spoken English. It is used to inquire about the necessity of something.

Show examples from the web [+]

If It is necessary, injection in the evening.
If it is necessary, I will remain here.
If it is necessary, I will do that.
If it is necessary correct to the left or the right.
No, certainly not! I am simply saying that we shall take appropriate measures when the time comes. If it is necessary.
I will know how to wait for it. Years... if it is necessary.
If it is necessary to provide immediate protection, CELVAPAN may be given at the same time as normal or specific immunoglobulin.
The court or tribunal may take expert evidence or oral testimony only if it is necessary for giving the judgment.
It is questionable if it is necessary to implement a standardization of the current European payment systems by transposing them to the international procedure of IBAN and BIC.
The court or tribunal may take expert evidence or oral testimony only if it is necessary for the judgment.
Detentions should only be carried "if it is necessary, lawful and justified", in facilities clearly separated from prisons.
Additional information may need to be submitted if it is necessary to carry out the evaluation as indicated in Article 8(2).
We shall certainly make a further sum available, Mr Mulder, if it is necessary and wise to do so.
Justification should be provided if it is necessary to exceed these limits when testing gases or highly volatile test chemicals (e.g. refrigerants).
Based on this evaluation, the Governing Council shall decide if it is necessary to conduct a selection procedure to choose a new hosting central bank.
If it is necessary to mark fish for identification purposes, subcutaneous dye injection is considered the least invasive method of marking.
Therefore personal data should be published only if it is necessary and proportionate with respect to the legitimate aim pursued.
Moreover, nonconformities of design or construction can entail substantial consequences if it is necessary to do corrective work on engineering works that are already on the way to completion.
These provisions may be exempted in exceptional circumstances if it is necessary in the animals' interest for them to travel to a location where the appropriate treatment can be given.
If it is necessary to make reference to generally accepted accounting principles in determining the customs value, the provisions of Annex 24 shall apply.

Alternatives:

if it is necessary

This phrase is correct and commonly used in written English.

"whether it is necessary or not"

This phrase is more formal and suitable for written English. It is used to inquire about the necessity of something.

Show examples from the web [+]

Many MEPs have also questioned whether it is necessary or proportionate, since other legal instruments allow data to be exchanged with the United States.
The Commission will assess whether it is necessary to open an investigation on the case.
I nonetheless wonder whether it is necessary to adopt a common strategy to achieve those objectives.
The Administrative Authority shall decide whether it is necessary for some tunnels (e.g. high traffic volume and safety needs) to have a control room.
The committee shall decide whether it is necessary to propose an amendment to the Rules of Procedure.
On the basis of the information obtained, the Council shall discuss the bottlenecks and difficulties observed and whether it is necessary to adapt the relevant European legislation.
By 1 January 2014 a review shall take place to evaluate whether it is necessary to extend the mandate of BERT.
On 1 January 2014 a review shall take place to evaluate whether it is necessary to extend the mandate of BERT.
The committee shall decide whether it is necessary to propose an amendment to the Rules of Procedure.
We must ask ourselves whether it is necessary to get caught up in a crisis before we start to speak about better strategies.
Lastly, you ask whether it is necessary to change the mandate or make it more flexible.
In this connection we shall also be considering whether it is necessary to create some kind of transitional arrangement for the transit agreement with the Republic of Austria.
To that effect, the national court may assess whether it is necessary to stay its proceedings.
The Commission will examine whether it is necessary to modify this notice once it has acquired sufficient experience in applying it.
This report shall also include an assessment of whether it is necessary to continue the reporting by the Member States referred to in Article 11(2).
Following this exhaustive study, we shall then be in a position to assess whether it is necessary to add to existing Community legislation.
I therefore wonder again whether it is necessary to introduce a requirement for an audible signal when this happens.
My Group wonders whether it is necessary for the Union to spend money on making nuclear power stations safe when these countries are exporting fossil fuels.
I have to say that I respectfully disagree with his views as to whether it is necessary or appropriate for the Council to seek to impose a Europe-wide tax in relation to the circumstances in which we find ourselves.
Some speakers have questioned whether it is necessary or important to raise such an issue in this House;I believe, however, that it has been very important.

Alternatives:

whether it is necessary

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if it is necessary or not vs whether it is necessary or not

"if it is necessary or not"

"whether it is necessary or not"

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