While “if” is the star of conditional sentences, English has other powerful words to express conditions with more precision and style. Learning alternatives like “unless” and “provided that” will make your language more sophisticated and allow you to communicate your meaning exactly. 🛣️
Function & Usage
These alternatives to “if” add specific nuances to a condition.
- Unless: This means “except if” or “if… not.” It introduces the only situation in which an event will *not* happen.
Example: “You will not pass the exam unless you study.” (The only way to pass is to study). - Provided that / As long as: These are used to emphasize a necessary condition. They mean “if, and only if.” ‘Provided that’ is more formal than ‘as long as.’
Example: “You can borrow my car, as long as you drive carefully.” - But for (Advanced): This formal phrase means “if it hadn’t been for…” It is used for past hypotheticals (like a 3rd conditional) and is followed by a noun phrase.
Example: “But for your help, I would have failed the project.” (Without your help…).
The Structure (Form)
The structure depends on the phrase you choose.
| Phrase | Structure |
|---|---|
| Unless / As long as / Provided that | [Phrase] + Present Simple, … Future (will) |
| But for | [Phrase] + Noun Phrase, … would have + Past Participle |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Double Negative with `unless`: `Unless` already means “if not.” Don’t add another negative. Incorrect: “Unless you don’t hurry…” Correct: “Unless you hurry…”
- Using a clause after `but for`: This phrase must be followed by a noun or pronoun. Incorrect: “But for you had helped me…” Correct: “But for your help…”
Let’s see it in action! 🎬
Parent: You can go to the party tonight, provided that you finish your homework first.
Child: Okay. I will finish it now.
Parent: Good, because you can’t go unless it’s all done.
Manager: I’m giving you a promotion.
Employee: Thank you so much! I’m honored. I have to say, but for your guidance, I would have been completely lost when I started.
Friend 1: Can I join your online game?
Friend 2: Sure, as long as you don’t cheat like last time!
Check Your Understanding! ✅
1. We will be late we leave now.
2. You can have dessert, you eat your vegetables.
3. the traffic jam, we would have been on time.
4. I will lend you the money you pay me back next week.
5. Don’t call me it’s an emergency.
6. ___ you study, you will fail the test.
7. I’ll go to the party ___ I can leave early.
8. ___ the bad weather, we would have had a great vacation.
9. You can use my computer ___ you don’t install any software.
10. The company will fail ___ it finds a new investor.
