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.
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
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.