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Conditions

which may influence the 'initial data', and therefore, modify final choices. 

There are many nuances to express innumerable conditions... and therefore, we'll have to

be  careful about watching these nuances in order to choose the right conjunction. 

1. Conditions in IF may be simple.

Here, the condition is set and the action is ‘potential', possible.

- We'll [will] go to the park if it doesn't rain.

                                       
2. Conditions may be UNREAL. (forecast, imagination, dreams!)

- We'd [would] go the park if it didn't rain. 

Please note that when the verb is used to express an unreal dream, the preterit must be used 

( to be will take the form 'were' even in the third person singular). 

3.  Predictions may not have been realised. The sentence may express a regret. 

- We would have gone to the park if it hadn't rained. 

These first three constructions are 'easy' and students practise them quite often: they're called 'If Clauses'. 

The only necessary precaution is to pay attention to the tenses and respect tense agreements. 

4. UNLESS : except under the circumstances that...: is often problematic for you... 

It represents a condition opposite to that introduced by 'IF'. The main clause is in the negative

with if. It's in the affirmative form with 'unless'. 

- I won't go there unless you share the long drive with me.[if you don't share...]

5.  PROVIDED : on the condition, understanding that, providing.

- You can go to the sleepover at Jim's provided you're back before lunch tomorrow.

6. IF or WHETHER?  'IF' must be used to express a CONDITION and WHETHER when it's a matter of 

a CHOICE OR  or an ALTERNATIVE. 

"Whether" corresponds to an interrogative clause and always introduces two possibilities: (yes, or no)

- You should tell her whether you plan to hire her; [or not]

7. Other ways to express conditions:

- AS LONG AS: provided that (+ no future or conditionals)
- ALL THE SAME: anyway; notwithstanding; nevertheless.
- ON CONDITION ( THAT): with the promise or provision that...
- OR ELSE: or suffer the consequences.
- OTHERWISE: under other circumstances, or else... 

- I'll help him, but only on condition he accepts to be helped.

- You must obey, otherwise/ or else, your father will punish you.

- You're free to go, as long as you're back before ten.

Let's try not to set too many conditions to our actions...  In the meantime, confront yourselves to the 

test  and you'll see that it isn't that difficult ! Go for it! 

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1. 'You can’t go through the gates providedunlessifI don't know you have checked in and left your ID at the counter.’



2. 'Of course, I’d never have taken him with me to Toledo if if he would have shown meif he'd showed mehe had shown meI don't know his expired passport before…’



3. 'After several hours of interview, they still haven’t told Stella whetherunlessprovidedI don't know she had the job… It is really stressful…’



4. 'Pete promised Lucy he would never hit her again, but unlessas long asall the sameI don't know, she ended their relationship.’



5. 'As long as you're livingyou will be livingyou'll be livingI don't know in our home, you’ll obey our rules! Is that clear?’



6. Fred will come on a visit on Monday afternoon unlessprovidedwhetherI don't know you have called before to confirm the visit.



7. Let’s go for a walk before the storm is here… unlessotherwiseprovidedI don't know we’ll have spent a whole day at home in spite of the nice weather…



8. 'Of course, you can take the toll motorway, unlessprovidedor elseI don't know if you’re not in a hurry, you can choose to take very picturesque little country roads.



9. 'Believe me, you won’t pass your final exam as long asprovidedunlessI don't know you can explain to the jury what you have written and why you chose that solution !



10. 'Paul told me that if, by chance, he bewasiswereI don't know my best man, he’d sing at our wedding! Err… I don’t think I really want that!’



11. 'Well, I’ll lent you the keys to my parents’ home unlesswhetheron condition thatI don't know you don’t throw a party while we’re away…’