Grammar

Conditionals with Unless / As Long As / Provided

Besides 'if', several conjunctions introduce conditions. 'Unless' means 'except if', while 'as long as', 'provided', and 'on condition that' set requirements or restrictions on the main clause.

Post

Level B2 Conditionals

Summary

Besides 'if', several conjunctions introduce conditions. 'Unless' means 'except if', while 'as long as', 'provided', and 'on condition that' set requirements or restrictions on the main clause.

Structure

main clause + unless / as long as / provided (that) / in case + condition

Examples

You won't pass unless you study.
I'll lend you the car as long as you fill the tank.
Provided everyone agrees, we'll start at eight.
Take a map in case you get lost.

Common mistakes

• Adding another negative to 'unless': 'unless you don't study' is usually wrong; use 'unless you study'.
• Confusing 'in case' (precaution) with 'if' (condition).

Related

Inverted Conditionals

More conditionals

First Conditional B1

Use the first conditional for real or likely situations in the future and their probable results.

Zero Conditional B1

Use the zero conditional for facts and things that are always true — when one thing happens, the result always follows.

Second Conditional B2

Use the second conditional for unreal, hypothetical, or unlikely situations in the present or future, and their imagined results.

Third Conditional B2

Use the third conditional to talk about imagined past situations that did not happen, and to express regret or criticism about the past.

Mixed Conditional C1

Use a mixed conditional when the time of the condition and the time of the result are different — for example, a past condition with a present result, or a present condition with a past result.

Wish / If Only (Present) B2

'Wish' and 'if only' with a past tense express a desire for a present situation to be different. The past form is unreal — it signals dissatisfaction with how things are now.

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