Whether you like it or not meaning in English
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Definition
(You will be nice to your grandmother) whether you like it or not: (You must be nice to your grandmother) if you want to or if you don't want to
Examples
- "I'm here to teach you people the basics of a positive work environment whether you like it or not!"
- "You are coming down to Earth, captain, whether you like it or not."
Exercise 1
"I'm here to teach you people the basics of a positive work environment whether you like it or not"
What does Lawrence mean when he says this?
What does Lawrence mean when he says this?
"I'm here to teach you people the basics of a positive work environment whether you like it or not"
What does Lawrence mean when he says this?
What does Lawrence mean when he says this?
This is correct. The term "whether" is an important one in English: it generally distinguishes between two choices (whether you go or stay, I will be here). It also functions like the term "if", introducing conditional possibilities: It all depends on whether (or not) you want to come to dinner. Here Lawrence is expressing that he will teach the Delavigne staff to have fun "even if" the staff doesn't want to learn. Another way to say this is that Lawrence will teach them to have fun "regardless" of their wishes.
Lawrence's expression does not indicate that he will teach the Delavigne staff to enjoy themselves (although this is part of his goal), but rather this specific phrase expresses that Lawrence will instruct the staff "even if" they do not want to learn.
It's true that the "weather" sounds identical as the term "whether". However these two terms are different: "Weather" refers to the temperature and conditions outdoors, and "whether" refers to the distinction of two choices or of two possibilities.
Lawrence's expression does not indicate that the staff will surely appreciate his lessons, but rather that he will teach them even if they do not want to learn.
Exercise 2
The journalist uses a question with the term whether.
From the list below, select those sentences which use the term correctly.
From the list below, select those sentences which use the term correctly.
The journalist uses a question with the term whether.
From the list below, select those sentences which use the term correctly.
From the list below, select those sentences which use the term correctly.
This is incorrect. "Whether" cannot be employed in this sentence since it does not convey more than one possibility or introduce a question. The correct term to replace it is "if", since we are introducing a defined condition.
This is correct. "Whether" (and "if") can be employed in the construction "Do you know...?" when no other question word is used. Example: "Do you know whether the bank is open today?" or "Do you know if the bank is open today?"
This is correct. In questions, or sentences that imply questions (like this one), "if" and "whether" are generally interchangeable: we could also say "I asked him if he'd been to Brazil before". Both terms introduce the question phrase. Example: I don't know if/whether she is available.
This is correct. "Whether" can be used to introduce alternative possibilities and is often used with "or not". In the audio the journalist asks "whether or not (Pedro is) an illegal alien", which implies an answer which is either "yes" or "no".
This is incorrect. It's a bit vicious, yes, but watch out for the difference in spelling between "whether" and "weather". Native English speakers sometimes make the same mistake!
Exercise 3
Choose the TRUE statements from the list below based on the audio.
There may be more than one correct answer!
There may be more than one correct answer!
Choose the TRUE statements from the list below based on the audio.
There may be more than one correct answer!
There may be more than one correct answer!
This statement is false. Lawrence focuses on the positive aspects of workplace efficiency, and never mentions that workplace efficiency is "failing", or not working.
This statement is false. Lawrence actually tells the staff that this training will not be a "joke", and that it is "no laughing matter", meaning that the training will be very serious.
This is a true statement. Lawrence says that he is "here to teach... whether you like it or not". The term "whether" distinguishes between two choices (whether you go or stay, I will be here). It also functions like the term "if", introducing conditional possibilities: It all depends on whether (or not) you want to come to dinner. Here Lawrence is expressing that he will teach the Delavigne staff to have fun "even if" the staff doesn't want to learn.
Exercise 4
Choose the TRUE statements from the list below based on the audio.
There may be more than one correct answer!
There may be more than one correct answer!
Choose the TRUE statements from the list below based on the audio.
There may be more than one correct answer!
There may be more than one correct answer!
This statement is false. Lawrence focuses on the positive aspects of workplace efficiency, and never mentions that workplace efficiency is "failing", or not working.
This is a true statement. Lawrence says that he is "here to teach... whether you like it or not". The term "whether" distinguishes between two choices (whether you go or stay, I will be here). It also functions like the term "if", introducing conditional possibilities: It all depends on whether (or not) you want to come to dinner. Here Lawrence is expressing that he will teach the Delavigne staff to have fun "even if" the staff doesn't want to learn.
This statement is false. Lawrence actually tells the staff that this training will not be a "joke", and that it is "no laughing matter", meaning that the training will be very serious.
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