As long as, provided that

  • B1 · Intermediate
  • Grammar lesson
  • 60 min

Conditions with as long as and provided (that) = only if: You can borrow the car as long as you fill up the tank. From a dad's voice message about lending his car to a quick-fire game of "Yes, but only if…".

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as long asprovided thatproviding

What's in the lesson

  1. 1Warm-up
  2. 2In this lesson
  3. 3Listen: Dad's messageListening comprehension
  4. 4What does it mean?Grammar exercise
  5. 5Find the conditionsGrammar exercise
  6. 6as long as, provided (that)Grammar rule
  7. 7Choose the formGrammar exercise
  8. 8The library noticeGrammar exercise
  9. 9Questions for your teacherGrammar exercise
  10. 10Say it naturallySpeaking practice
  11. 11Yes, but only if…Speaking practice
  12. 12About youGrammar exercise
  13. 13Wrap-up

Homework

  1. 1Homework: which means the same?Grammar exercise
  2. 2Homework: office kitchen rulesGrammar exercise
  3. 3Homework: build the sentencesGrammar exercise
  4. 4Homework: on one conditionDiscussion

Two slides from the lesson

Warm-up

A few questions about you before we start.

  1. When you were young, did you ever borrow your parents' car, or something else important to them?
  2. Is there anything you never lend to other people? Why?
  3. Do you prefer to borrow things from friends or to buy your own? Why?

Grammar rule

as long as, provided (that)

as long as, provided (that) = only if

Answer or resultCondition
Sure, you can have a partyas long as the music stops at eleven.
We'll go hikingprovided (that) the trail is open.
As long as you study every day,you'll pass.
  • The condition must happen: if it doesn't, the answer is no.
  • After as long as and provided (that): the present, even about the future (as long as you are home by ten, not will be).
  • When the whole story is in the past, use the past: At my old school, we could use our phones as long as we were outside.
  • provided (that) and providing (that) are more formal: rules, contracts, emails. as long as is the everyday choice. (so long as is also possible.)
  • Either part can come first. Use a comma when the condition comes first.
Compare: Take my notes if you want. (an easy yes) · Take my notes as long as you keep them clean. (a yes with a condition)

Watch out

  • No will: not as long as you will be, but as long as you are.
  • All the words: as long as (not as long you), provided that (not provide that), and no if after them (not provided if).
  • as long as can also be about time: I'll wait as long as it takes. (= for all the time it takes) In this lesson, it means only if.

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