Unless
Study this example situation:
The club is for members only.
You can,t go in unless you are a member.
This means:
You can't go in except if you are a member.
You can go in only if you are a member.
Unless = except if.
Some more examples of
unless:
- I'll see you tomorrow unless I have to work late. (= except if I have to work late)
- There are no buses to the beach. Unless you have a car, it's difficult to get there. (= except if you have a car)
- 'Shall I tell Liz what happened?' 'Not unless she asks you.' (= only if she asks you)
- Sally hates to complain. She wouldn't complain about something unless it was really bad. (= except if it was really bad)
- We can take a taxi to the restaurant - unless you'd prefer to walk. (= except if you'd prefer to walk)
Instead of
unless it is often possible to say
if ...
not:
- Unless we leave now, we'll be late. or If we don't leave now, we'll ...
As long as / provided / providing
as long as or so long as
provided (that) or providing (that) | All these expressions mean 'if' or 'on condition that'. |
For example:
- You can borrow my car {as long as, so long as} you promise not to drive too fast.
(= you can borrow my car, but you must promise not to drive too fast - this is a condition) - Travelling by car is convenient {provided (that), providing (that)} you have somewhere to park.
(= but only if you have somewhere to park) - {Providing (that), Provided (that)} the room is clean, I don't mind which hotel we stay at.
(= the room must be clean - otherwise I don't mind)
Unless / as long as etc. for the future
When you are talking about the future, do
not use
will after
unless /
as long as /
so long as /
provided /
providing. Use a
present tense (see Unit 25):
- I'm not going out unless it stops raining. (not unless it will stop)
- Providing the weather is good, we're going to have a picnic tomorrow. (not providing the weather will be good)
