Unless, as long as, in case, even if

  • B2 · Upper-intermediate
  • Grammar lesson
  • 60 min

Conditions without if: unless, as long as and provided that, even if, in case (and why it is not the same as if), otherwise, and suppose. From a cabin host's welcome message to the rules and deals in your own life.

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unlessas long asin caseeven if

What's in the lesson

  1. 1Warm-up
  2. 2Reading: welcome to the cabinReading comprehension
  3. 3What does it mean?Grammar exercise
  4. 4What kind of condition?Grammar exercise
  5. 5Conditions without ifGrammar rule
  6. 6Choose the right wordGrammar exercise
  7. 7Notes for the pet sitterGrammar exercise
  8. 8Build the sentencesGrammar exercise
  9. 9Say it naturallySpeaking practice
  10. 10Make a dealSpeaking practice
  11. 11About youGrammar exercise
  12. 12Wrap-up

Homework

  1. 1Homework: a note from the landlordGrammar exercise
  2. 2Homework: which is right?Grammar exercise
  3. 3Homework: house rulesDiscussion

Two slides from the lesson

Warm-up

A few questions about you before we start.

  1. Have you ever stayed in a cabin, a cottage or someone else's home on vacation? What were the rules?
  2. What do you always pack, just in case?
  3. Before a trip, do you plan for problems, or do you deal with them when they happen?

Grammar rule

Conditions without if

WordMeaningExample
unlessif … notUnless the trains are on strike, we'll be there by noon.
as long as / provided (that) / providing (that)only ifPlants grow well as long as they get enough light.
even ifit doesn't matter whetherI'm going to finish the race even if I have to walk.
in caseas a precaution, because something might happenBuy more bread in case the kids are hungry.
in case of + noun (formal, often on signs)if there isIn case of emergency, break the glass.
otherwiseif not (it refers to the sentence before)Book early; otherwise, the tickets will be gone.
suppose / supposing / what ifimagine thatSuppose you found a wallet on the street. What would you do? What if nobody comes?

Notes

Use the present simple for the future after unless, as long as, provided, even if and in case: unless she calls (not unless she will call). · Unless already means if … not, so don't add another not: not unless you don't call first. · The clause can come first (with a comma) or second: Unless you call first, he won't open the door. / He won't open the door unless you call first. · After suppose and what if, use the present for a real possibility (What if nobody comes?) and the past for an imaginary situation (Suppose you found a wallet…). · even if is for something that may or may not happen; even though is for a fact: Even though it's late, I'm not tired.

in case is not the same as if. "Take an umbrella if it rains" = take it when it is raining. "Take an umbrella in case it rains" = take it now, because it might rain later.

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