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B2 Pre-advanced
B2 grammar contents
B2Conditionals and unreal meaning

Unless, even if, provided and as long as

Choose conditional linkers according to whether a condition is negative, sufficient, restrictive or irrelevant to the result.

Overview

What this grammar does

Choose conditional linkers according to whether a condition is negative, sufficient, restrictive or irrelevant to the result.

Form and rules

How it works

1

Unless means if not and introduces an exception/negative condition: We won't go unless the weather improves.

2

Even if means the result will remain true regardless of whether the condition happens.

3

Provided/providing (that) means only if / on the condition that and often sounds more formal.

4

As long as means provided that when stating a condition, but can also have a time meaning in other contexts.

5

Do not mechanically replace every if not with unless; unless is awkward when the condition itself is already negative or when the meaning is not an exception.

A closer look

Meaning and use

As long as means provided that when stating a condition, but can also have a time meaning in other contexts.

Do not mechanically replace every if not with unless; unless is awkward when the condition itself is already negative or when the meaning is not an exception.

Examples

See the pattern in complete sentences

We won't sign unless the terms change.

Even if it rains, the event will continue.

You can work remotely provided that deadlines are met.

I'll support the plan as long as costs stay within budget.

Unless I'm mistaken, we've met before.

Common mistakes

What to avoid

We won't launch even if the final tests are successful.
We won't launch unless the final tests are successful.

Unless means the launch depends on the tests being successful.

Provided they offer more money, I'm not taking the job.
Even if they offer more money, I'm not taking the job.

Even if means the result stays the same regardless of the condition.

Ready to practise?

The test combines multiple choice, gap completion, error correction, and sentence building so students have to recognise and produce the grammar, not simply reread the rule.

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