4.Alternatives to IF

Other conjunctions can be used to introduce conditions:

• unless (=if...not or only if)

         e.g.: She won't go to sleep unless you tell her a story. (She will only go to sleep if you tell her a story.)

• providing/provided (that), on condition that, as/so long as (=only if) 

       e.g.: She won't go to sleep providing that you tell her a story. (She will only go to sleep if you tell her a story.

NOTE: These conjunctions are not used with the third conditional!

 

• but for (=if it had not been for, if...not)

      e.g.: But for your warning, we wouldn't have realised the danger. (If it had not been for your warning, we wouldn't have realised the danger.)

• whether...or not (=it doesn't matter which of these situations)

      e.g.: Whether governments like it or not, they have to give more aid to the developing world.

• suppose/supposing, what if (used to talk about imaginary situations)

      e.g.: What if your plan fails, what then? (the present tense suggests the condition may be fulfilled)

               Suppose you won the Lottery, what would you do? (the past tense suggests the condition is unlikely)

• assuming that (=in the possible situation that)

     e.g.: Assuming (that) you're right, we should turn left here.

• in case (as a way of being safe from something that may happen)

       e.g: Take your umbrella in case it rains.

• otherwise (=if not)

      e.g.: Let's hope the weather improves. Otherwise (If it doesn't) we'll have to cancel the picnic.