Whether
“Whether” is used when you're talking about two or more possibilities or asking if something is true or not. It often means “if or not.”
1. Whether + statement
This is the most common pattern:
I don't know whether he is coming.
Meaning: I don't know if he is coming or not.
I'm not sure whether she likes me.
We need to find out whether this is true.
I wonder whether astrology can predict this.
2. Whether ... or not
You can explicitly mention both possibilities:
I don't know whether he will come or not.
We need to find out whether the relationship will last or not.
But “or not” is often unnecessary:
I don't know whether he will come. ✅
This already implies “or not.”
3. Whether A or B
Use whether when choosing between alternatives:
I don't know whether to stay or leave.
I'm trying to decide whether to study astrology or psychology.
We need to decide whether to use Western or Vedic astrology.
4. Whether + two possibilities
I don't know whether he is angry or disappointed.
I'm not sure whether this is love or attraction.
We don't know whether the problem is psychological or physical.
5. “Whether” in your TikTok script
You wrote:
“Did you know you can find out whether your partner will continue to care for you after marriage?”
This is correct. 👍
It means:
“Can you find out if your partner will continue to care for you or not after marriage?”
Another natural example:
“Astrology can help you understand whether your relationship is likely to remain stable after marriage.”
6. Whether vs. if
In many situations, whether and if can mean the same thing:
I don't know if he will come.
I don't know whether he will come.
Both are correct.
But whether is particularly useful when there are alternatives:
I don't know whether to stay or leave. ✅
Not:
I don't know if to stay or leave. ❌
Easy rule to remember
Think of whether = “which possibility?”
Whether A or B
Whether X happens or not
Whether something is true or false
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
While
“While” is very common in everyday English. The easiest way to understand it is:
while = during the time that something is happening
But it has a few different uses.
1. Two things happening at the same time
Use while + subject + verb.
I listen to podcasts while I work.
She watches YouTube while she eats.
I study astrology while I'm drinking coffee.
He called me while I was studying.
You can also put while at the beginning:
While I was studying, my friend called me.
Notice the comma when the “while” clause comes first.
2. Talking about a temporary situation
While I'm in India, I want to visit some temples.
While you're here, we can discuss your project.
While you're learning English, try to speak every day.
This is very useful in conversation.
For example:
A: What are you doing these days?
B: I'm studying astrology while I'm working on my website.
3. “While” = although / even though
This is slightly different.
While I understand your point, I disagree.
Meaning:
I understand your point, but I disagree.
More examples:
While astrology is interesting, I don't think every prediction is accurate.
While this method is popular, it isn't the only approach.
While I like the job, the salary isn't great.
This use is very common when you want to make a balanced argument.
4. “While” for contrast
You can compare two things:
I like Vedic astrology, while my friend prefers Western astrology.
I work during the day, while my brother works at night.
Here, while is similar to “whereas.”
5. “While” + past continuous
This is especially common when telling stories:
While I was driving, my phone rang.
While I was studying astrology, I discovered Vedic astrology.
While I was talking to him, he suddenly left.
Think:
Long/ongoing action → while
Short event → another action
While I was studying, my friend called me.
6. “While” vs. “when”
They can sometimes mean the same thing:
When I was studying, my friend called me.
While I was studying, my friend called me.
But while emphasizes that something was happening during that period.
Compare:
When I arrived, he left.
This focuses on the moment I arrived.
While I was talking to him, he was checking his phone.
This emphasizes two activities happening at the same time.
7. “For a while”
This is another very common expression.
For a while = for some time
I lived in Mumbai for a while.
I stopped studying astrology for a while.
Let's wait for a while.
I haven't talked to him for a while.
Easy way to remember
While = during
I listen to music while I work.
= I listen to music during the time I work.
While = although
While I like astrology, I don't believe every prediction.
While = contrast
I like Vedic astrology, while my friend likes Western astrology.
For a while = for some time
I studied it for a while.
For your English practice, one very useful sentence pattern is:
“While I was ___, ___ happened.”
For example:
While I was studying astrology, I learned about planetary dashas.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Toward
“Toward” is very common in English. The basic meaning is “in the direction of”, but we also use it for goals, feelings, attitudes, and progress.
1. Moving in a direction
I’m walking toward the office.
She ran toward me.
He drove toward the city.
Think: toward = in the direction of
Conversation:
A: Where are you going?
B: I’m heading toward the station.
2. Moving closer to a goal
This is very useful in everyday conversation.
I’m working toward my goal.
We’re moving toward a solution.
I’m working toward becoming a professional astrologer.
She’s working toward getting a better job.
Here, toward doesn't mean physical movement. It means you're making progress in the direction of something.
3. Feelings or attitude toward someone
This is another very common use.
How do you feel toward him?
She has a positive attitude toward her employees.
He has a lot of respect toward his teacher.
My attitude toward astrology has changed.
For example:
“My attitude toward astrology has changed over the last few years.”
Meaning: Your feelings/opinion about astrology have changed.
4. Money or effort going toward something
You can use toward when something contributes to a goal.
I’m putting some money toward buying a new car.
I donated money toward the project.
I'm putting more time toward learning English.
This money will go toward building the website.
A very natural sentence for you:
“I'm trying to put more time toward improving my English.”
Even more natural:
“I'm trying to spend more time improving my English.”
5. Toward a time
Toward can mean close to a particular time.
We arrived toward the end of the day.
I usually feel tired toward the evening.
Things started improving toward the end of the year.
For example:
“Toward the end of 2026, I want to launch my astrology platform.”
6. “Toward” vs. “Towards”
Both are correct.
toward
towards
American English commonly uses toward.
British English commonly uses towards.
The meaning is the same.
I’m walking toward you. ✅
I’m walking towards you. ✅
Since you're practicing general English, I'd recommend using “toward” consistently.
Easy way to remember
Think of toward = in the direction of something.
Physical direction:
Walk toward me.
Goal:
Work toward your goal.
Feeling:
My attitude toward him changed.
Contribution:
Put money toward the project.
Time:
Toward the end of the year, things improved.
Practice with your interests
Try these patterns:
I'm working toward ______.
My attitude toward ______ has changed.
I'm putting more time toward ______.
For example:
I'm working toward becoming better at English.
My attitude toward astrology has changed.
I'm putting more time toward learning Vedic astrology.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Looks at
“Looks at” is very common in English. It usually means examines, considers, watches, or directs your eyes toward something, depending on the context.
1. “Looks at” = visually sees something
This is the simplest meaning.
She looks at me.
He looks at his phone.
I'm looking at the screen.
Conversation:
A: What are you doing?
B: I'm looking at some astrology charts.
Notice:
- look at → base form
- looks at → he/she/it
- looking at → continuous
I look at the chart.
He looks at the chart.
We are looking at the chart.
2. “Looks at” = examines or studies something
This is especially useful for your astrology conversations.
The astrologer looks at the birth chart.
Meaning: The astrologer examines the chart.
A Vedic astrologer looks at the planetary positions.
The doctor looks at the test results.
We need to look at the data before making a decision.
Here, you're not just seeing something—you are examining it carefully.
3. “Looks at” = considers a topic
This is extremely common.
This book looks at the history of astrology.
Meaning:
This book examines/discusses the history of astrology.
Other examples:
The course looks at different astrology systems.
This video looks at marriage in Vedic astrology.
Today's lesson looks at how Mercury affects communication.
This is a very useful phrase for making educational videos.
4. “Looks at” = considers an option
I'm looking at buying a new laptop.
This means you're considering buying one.
We're looking at different options.
I'm looking at several astrology software programs.
I'm looking at ways to improve my English.
Notice the pattern:
look at + noun
I'm looking at the options.
look at + -ing
I'm looking at buying a laptop.
5. “Look at” = pay attention to something
You can use it to direct someone's attention.
Look at this!
Look at that!
Look at this chart.
Look at what happened!
Very common in casual conversation.
For example, if you discover something interesting in an astrology chart:
“Look at this! Mars is right next to Saturn.”
6. “Look at” vs. “look for”
These are easy to confuse.
Look at = examine/see
I'm looking at my birth chart.
Look for = try to find
I'm looking for my birth chart.
Compare:
I'm looking at my phone.
I'm looking for my phone.
First = examining your phone.
Second = trying to find your phone.
7. “Looks like” is different
Don't confuse:
He looks at me.
with:
He looks like me.
Looks at = directs his eyes toward me.
Looks like = appears similar to me.
For example:
She looks at me. 👀
She is watching me.
She looks like me.
She resembles me.
Useful sentences for your English practice
Since you're often talking about astrology, these would be very natural:
“Let's look at the birth chart.”
“First, let's look at the position of Jupiter.”
“This video looks at marriage indicators in Vedic astrology.”
“The astrologer looks at several factors before making a prediction.”
“I'm looking at different ways to improve my English.”
Easy rule
Think of look at as:
see → examine → consider → study
Look at the chart. → examine it.
Look at the problem. → consider it.
Look at the data. → study it.
Look at this! → pay attention to this.