Akademik

In most sentences, the or not in this phrase is unnecessary. Or not is a mere filler in a sentence such as "Whether the remark was accurate or not is not certain." However, in certain constructions equal force or stress should be given to alternatives: or not is required in a statement such as "We shall go whether it rains or not." To decide whether or not is needed, substitute if for whether. If the if results in a different meaning, then or not is needed. The sentence quoted would make quite different sense if it read "We shall go if it rains...."