Is there anyone who could explain to me very clearly the difference between WHETHER and IF?

Question

I'm not a native speaker. Thanks.

Answer 1

To use "whether" there will always be the word "or" in the sentence somewhere.
1. Whether or not he likes to read, I do not know.
2. I am not sure whether I can go. -this one does not have "or" in it...but you could add "or not" at the end. It is used when there is a negative and positive in the sentence. (in example 1you are not sure...maybe he likes to read, maybe he doesn't we don't know)
(in example 2, you are not sure if you can go, maybe you can maybe you can't)

"If" is used when there is a chance or talking about the future.
3. If he comes, I will tell you. (you are not sure if he will come, but there is a chance....in the future you might know)
4. I don't drive if I drink. (in the chance that I drink in the future, I won't drive)
if your native language is Spanish I could give you some examples to compare the 2. [e-mail]