We have learned the rules for making conditional sentences in English.
However, we have only learned the rules for making conditional sentences with "if." It is important to learn that in English, we don't only use "if" to make conditional sentences.
In Grammar 9-3, we are going to learn other expressions for making conditional sentences.
Even If
This expression is used in First, Second, and Third Conditional sentences.
Its meaning is that something "doesn't matter" or "doesn't change the result." The condition doesn't have an effect on the result. We often use the word "still" in the result clause for extra emphasis.
Example One:
Imagine it's raining hard and very windy. Of course, if you go outside, you will get wet. it's raining really hard and it's very windy, so you will get wet:
- if you don't have an umbrella
- if you have an umbrella
To say that the condition of having an umbrella doesn't matter, we use "even if" before the condition:
- You will still get wet even if you have an umbrella. (Having an umbrella doesn't matter.)
Example Two:
Imagine you think Mercedes Benz cars are not very nice. Of course, you will never buy a Mercedes Benz because you don't like them.
Also, you will never buy a Mercedes Benz because you don't have enough money, but this doesn't matter, because you don't think they are very nice. You wouldn't buy a Mercedes Benz:
- if you had enough money
- if you didn't have enough money
To say that having enough money doesn't matter, use "even if" in the second conditional because you are imagining:
- I wouldn't buy a Mercedes Benz even if I had enough money. (Having enough money doesn't matter.)
More Examples:
- You will like the movie even if the English is hard to understand.
- I would still be tired today even if I hadn't had a lot to drink last night. I went to bed very late.
- I still wouldn't be your girlfriend even if you were the last man on earth!
Unless
Unless is a very popular expression used mostly in the First Conditional. Its meaning is "if...not." It is used to explain one realistic exception and the only exception to something.
The exception is the only thing that can change the result.
Example One:
You will go to the park this weekend. The only exception to this plan is if it rains.
- I will go to the park this weekend unless it rains.
Example Two:
You are having a meeting at 3pm. You will start at 3pm. The only exception to this is if someone is late.
- We will start at 3pm unless someone is late.
Remember, unless is used to introduce the only exception. If something is not the only exception, you must use if + not:
Example Three:
You want to say that you will be angry if the bus isn't on time.
Because you are explaining why you will be angry, do not use unless. You are not explaining the only exception.
You are explaining specifically why you will be angry.
- I will be angry if the bus is not on time.
Example Four:
You want to ask if it will be okay if you don't wear a tie to the party.
You want to know if it will be alright if specifically you do not wear a tie to the party.
You are not describing an exception. Do not use unless.
- Will it be okay if I do not wear a tie to the party?
Example Five:
You want to say that you will break up with your boyfriend if he doesn't quit smoking. Is the condition, "if he doesn't quit smoking" the only exception to the result "you will break up with your boyfriend?" YES!
- I will break up with my boyfriend unless he quits smoking.
This means you will break up with your boyfriend. To explain the exception to this (you will not break up with your boyfriend), use unless.
As long as, So long as, Provided / Providing That
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