A
Unless
Study this example situation:
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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.
or
You can go in only if you are a member.
Unless = except if.
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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)
– “Should 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 …
B
As long as, etc.
“as long as” or “so long as” – All these expressions mean “if” or “on condition that.”
provided (that) or providing (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)
- Traveling 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 care which hotel we stay at.
(= the room must be clean – otherwise, I don’t care)
C
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:
– I’m not going out unless it stops raining. (not unless it will stop)
– Providing the weather is good, we’re going on picnic.
(not providing the weather will be good)
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