Anonymous  +  322321 Wed, 31 Jan 07 10:38 AM 1. He asked her about whether he should go 2. I'm not sure whether we can still go. Hello, In the first sentence, is it possible to rewrite the sentence without the preposition "about" eg: "He asked her whether he should go" In the second sentence; is it possible to rewrite the sentence with the preposition  "about" eg : "I 'm not sure about whether we can still go." In both cases do both sets of sentences mean the same thing? He asked her about whether he should go = He asked her whether he should go I'm not sure whether we can still go. = I 'm not sure about whether we can still go   Thank you very much in advance. Anonymous Prepositions

	Marius Hancu  +  322337 Wed, 31 Jan 07 11:23 AM IMO, use about only if required by a preceding word (verb, but not only). I don't think that's the case in your sentences. These are several examples from the BBC with  "her about whether" (not that many, as you can see): http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=site%3Abbc.co.uk+%22her+about+whether%22&btnG=Search Marius Hancu Joined on Wed, Apr 26 2006 Veteran Member 11,673 Verbs, Prepositions

	Marius Hancu  +  322341 Wed, 31 Jan 07 11:31 AM Several examples with leading verbs asking for about: BBC NEWS | Africa | Somalia shuts down broadcasters "Now I worry about whether the government will take responsibility for our safety" Hassan Mohamoud Disarmed Mogadishu resident ... BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | First synthetic virus created Scientists are divided about whether a virus is alive. For those that think it is, then this synthetic artefact would constitute a simple form of life. ... BBC NEWS | Politics | Union leader shuns Blair "Nobody's interested in the euro, we're not bothered about whether we get paid in euros or pounds, people are bothered about whether they get paid. ... Marius Hancu Verbs, Prepositions

	Marius Hancu  +  322358 Wed, 31 Jan 07 12:13 PM Yes, you should look for preceding context. Does it require about? If not, leave it out. And yes, it's not an easy issue. Perhaps others have simpler rules, not sure .... Marius Hancu Prepositions

	Clive  +  322394 Wed, 31 Jan 07 02:33 PM Hi guys, 1. He asked her about whether he should go I'd like to offer an additional approach to this question. He asked her whether he should go. This sounds like he wants a 'yes' or a 'no'. He asked her about whether he should go. This sounds like he wants more discussion, more opinion. eg Perhaps his actual words were 'Do you think it's a good idea if I go?' Best wishes, Clive Clive Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004 Canada Veteran Member 29,600 El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo Prepositions