Alternative to IF

Alternative to IF

Replacing if

- If can be replaced by words or expressions with a similar meaning.

The most common are:

as long as

assuming (that)

on condition (that)

on the assumption (that)

provided (that)

supposing (that)

unless with the condition (that)

Unless

Unless

Conditional clauses can begin with unless. Unless means something similar to ‘if … not’ or ‘except if’.

The verb forms in the examples are similar to sentences with if:

we use the present simple in the unless-clause and shall, should, will, would, can, could, may or might in the main clause:

Unless I phone you, you can assume the train’s on time. (If I do not phone you /except if I phone you, you can assume the train is on time.)

Had you (Had with inversion)

In formal situations, we can use 

had + subject + verb

instead of if in third conditional sentences:

Had I known you were waiting outside, I would have invited you to come in.

(If I had known you were waiting outside …)

Had Margaret realised she would be travelling alone, she would never have agreed to go.

We can use as long as/so long as/ provided (that) or on condition (that)

IF ONE SITUATION DEPENDS ON ANOTHER;

As long as she carried out the action plan, she wouldn have to go to court.

I'll volunteer to sit on a youth justice panel provided it's only once a month.

The boy agreed to go to the session on condition that his brother came with him.

In these examples, one thing wouldn't happen if the other didn't.

Providing (that) is more common in speaking; provided (that) is more formal and more common in written language:

You can get a senior citizen’s

reduction providing you’ve got a railcard.

They may do whatever they like provided that it is within the law.

Supposing

Supposing 

may be used with a conditional meaning. It can be used in first, second or third conditional sentences. The speaker invites the listener to imagine a situation:

Supposing I don’t arrive till after midnight, will the guest-house still be open? (Imagine if I don’t arrive till after midnight …)

Supposing you lost your passport, you’d have to go to the embassy, wouldn’t you?

Supposing he hadn’t recognised us – he might never have spoken to us.

Or and otherwise

We often use or and otherwise with conditional meanings:

You’ve got to start studying, or you’ll fail all those exams.  (If you don’t start studying, you will fail the exams.)

We’d better send it express, otherwise it’ll take days.  (If we do not send it express, it will take days.)

Multiple Choice

She won't go to sleep unless you tell her a story.

• She won't go to sleep if you don't tell her a story.

• She won't go to sleep if you tell her a story.

Multiple Choice

You can borrow my car as long as you drive safe.

• You can borrow my car unless you drive safe.

• You can borrow my car provided you drive safe.

Multiple Select

Choose the alternatives with the same meaning.

I will let you speak if you raise your hands.

• I will let you speak unless you raise your hands.

• I will let you speak provided you raise your hands.

• I will let you speak as long as you raise your hands.

Multiple Choice

Is this sentence correct or incorrect?

My parentes will be very happy unless I do my homework.

• Correct

• Incorrect

Multiple Choice

Is this sentence correct or incorrect?

She will go to sleep providing that you tell her a story.

• Correct

• Incorrect

Multiple Choice

Is this sentence correct or incorrect?

We will not cancel the picnic unless it rains.

• Correct

• Incorrect

Multiple Choice

Is this sentence correct or incorrect?

I will help him unless he treats me politely.

• Correct.

• Incorrect

Multiple Select

Choose the alternatives with the same meaning.

If I receive a promotion, I will go on Holiday with my Family.

• Providing I receive a promotion, I will go on Holiday with my Family.

• Unless I receive a promotion, I will go on Holiday with my Family.

• Provided I receive a promotion, I will go on Holiday with my Family.

Multiple Select

Choose the alternatives with the same meaning.

You can go out tonight if you get back by midnight.

• You can go out tonight provided you get back by midnight.

• You can go out tonight unless you get back by midgnight.

• You can go out tonight as long as you get back by midnight.

Multiple Choice

Is this sentence correct or incorrect?

You will be able to wake up early unless you go to bed late.

• Correct

• Incorrect

Multiple Choice

. "Provided that" and "providing that" express:

• negative condition

• emphatic condition

Multiple Choice

"As long as" has the same meaning as "unless".

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

"As long as" has the same meaning as "provided that".

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

"Unless'' is the same as ''if not".

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

You must use "unless" with a negative verb form.

Ex.: Unless I don't do my homework, the teacher will be very mad.

• True

• False

Fill in the Blanks

Rewrite the sentence using the word in brackets

1. The research will continue if there is enough funding.(as long as)

Fill in the Blanks

Rewrite the sentence using the word in brackets

You can only do the quiz if you have access to the Internet. (otherwise)

Fill in the Blanks

This experiment is likely to succeed if we follow all the steps correctly.(provided that)

Fill in the Blanks

Rewrite the sentence using the word in brackets

If you are interested in language you could study linguistics. (supposing)

Fill in the Blanks

Rewrite the sentence using the word in brackets

The students have an excellent attitude to their studies, but they will drop the subject next year if it is not interesting.(unless)

Fill in the Blanks

Rewrite the sentence using the word in brackets

You can borrow my car if you promise not to drive too fast.(as long as)