whether or not to tell you vs whether to tell you or not

Both phrases are correct and commonly used in English. They are interchangeable and convey the same meaning. The choice between them depends on the writer's preference or the flow of the sentence.

Last updated: March 31, 2024 • 3357 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"whether or not to tell you"

This phrase is used to express a decision-making process or uncertainty about disclosing information.

Show examples from the web [+]

And I have to decide whether or not to tell her.
I was debating whether or not to tell anyone.
So I hang up and debate whether or not to tell Don, throw myself on my sword.
Unfortunately, we lost a week while you decided whether or not to tell me they were here.
So basically you left it to your lawyer to decide whether or not to tell the truth.
I'm hoping there's something that I forgot, like maybe you were debating on whether or not to tell Kirk the difference between antiperspirant and deodorant.
The truth is, when I got that letter from the Ministry, I hesitated whether or not to tell them
I debated whether to tell you in person...
I'm still thinking whether to tell you or not...
I was troubled whether to tell you just before your departure.
We need something to tell us whether or not Hopkins is lying.
The Commission has to tell us whether or not it is maintaining its proposal.
I've been in two minds about whether to tell you or not.
I don't know whether to tell you this.
But, you see, the police have tests to tell whether or not a guy fired a gun.
Said it was too soon to tell whether or not he'll be back 100%.
I can't tell you whether or not to have an abortion.
It doesn't tell you whether or not the gas station has gas.
Enlargement may perhaps take place in 2003.But as I do not have the exact details of the article, I cannot tell you whether or not it is correct.
Mr Brinkhorst, we shall ask the Council for a written reply, but I cannot tell you whether or not we shall have it by tomorrow morning.

Alternatives:

whether to tell you or not

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"whether to tell you or not"

This phrase is also used to express a decision-making process or uncertainty about disclosing information.

Show examples from the web [+]

I'm still thinking whether to tell you or not...
I've been in two minds about whether to tell you or not.
I just didn't know whether to tell you or not, since it didn't change anything.
I've been wondering for days whether to try and tell you or not, or how.
I think you know what's right, whether I had to tell you or not.
Trouble is, after the first 6 feet it's hard to tell whether or not you're jumping or you're falling.
I debated whether to tell you in person...
I was troubled whether to tell you just before your departure.
I don't know whether to tell you this.
I wasn't sure whether to tell you but I was put in charge of Downton when you left.
We've agonized whether to tell you this, Norma, but -
Whether to tell Dr Tainer that she is an android or to withhold that information from her.
I don't know whether to tell Kit or...
Just as you can choose whether to tell Dr Wylie about your baby.
There's something wrong with one of them, and I don't know whether to tell the other one or not.
Look, I do not know whether to tell you this, but you know that every time I come into the room, I feel your scent.
I don't know whether to tell you this.
I debated whether to tell you because it didn't mean anything, so I didn't want to upset you, but ultimately I want to be honest.
Whether to tell websites that we do not wish to be tracked. Please note that web pages are not forced to follow this setting.
I couldn't decide whether to tell her the truth or create a life for myself - a life I wanted.

Alternatives:

whether or not to tell you

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whether or not to tell you vs whether to tell you or not