2NAconditional clausesalternatives to -if

Alternatives to –if: match a beginning 1-7 with and end a-f.

  1. He’d never be a director ...
  2. You can borrow my bike ...
  3. You’re welcome to stay with us...
  4. I’m taking an umbrella...
  5. I’ll be back tomorrow...
  6. I’m coming with you to the hospital...
  7. I don’t mind talking to the press...
/ a. ... unless there’s a plane strike.
b. ... as long as you share the expenses.
c. ... in case it rains.
d. ... if it wasn’t for his wife’s money.
e. ... provided you bring it back.
f. ... but only if my identity is protected.
g. ... whether you want me to or not.

1-d2-e3-b4-c5-a6-g7-f

USE

  • Unless - As long as - Provided/provided

Unless = except if

e. g. The club is for members only. You can't go in unless you are a member (=except if you are a member)

As long as or So long as / Provided (that) or Providing (that)

= if or on condition that

e. g. You can borrow my car as long as you promise not to drive too fast.

e. g. Travelling by car is convenient provided (that) you have somewhere to park.

  • Only ifmakes the condition more restrictive:

e.g.Acetaminophen is dangerous to childrenonly ifdosage is too high.

  • IN CASEand IF

Anin case-clause gives a reason while anif-clause describes a condition:

e.g. I'll buy a sandwichin case I get hungry.(I'll buy a sandwich because I may get hungry later.)
e.g. I'll buy a sandwichif I get hungry.(I'll buy a sandwich when I get hungry.)

(!) Time clauses need the present simple tense instead of the future.

Exercise: choose the right words to complete the sentences.

Principio del formulario

1. You can borrow my caryou promise not to drive too fast.
2. I'm playing tennis tomorrowit rains.
3. I'm playing tennis tomorrowit doesn't rain.
4. I don't mind if you come home lateyou come in quietly.
5. I'm going nowyou want me to stay.
6. I don't watch TVI've got nothing else to do.
7. Children are allowed to use the swimming poolthey are with an adult.
8.they are with an adult, children are not allowed to use the swimming pool.
9. We can sit here in the corneryou'd rather sit over there by the window.
10. You won't pass the examyou try a bit harder.Final del formulario

For more practice: