Conditionals – if alternatives

A conditional sentence contains a main clause and a subordinate clause. The subordinate clause states a condition, usually introduced by the subordinating conjunction if. The main clause states the result that will (or would) happen if that condition is met. However, there are a number of alternative subordinating conjunctions that can be used in the place of if to change the meaning of the conditional sentence. Below you can see some of these alternatives to if, and in which situations you would use them.

This guide and a number of if alternative activities are available to download as PDF documents.

as long as, so long as, provided (that), providing (that), on (the) condition (that)

Used like if, but emphasising that the condition is imposed or required by the speaker (more commonly used with the first conditional):

• We’ll go hiking as long as it doesn’t rain.
• Provided that you finish all your homework, you can play your video games.

whether or not

Used when the same result will happen in either of two opposite situations – the outcome does not depend on the condition. Works best when there are two clear, contrasting possibilities (e.g., it rains / it doesn’t rain):

• We will go hiking whether or not it rains. / We will go hiking whether it rains or not.
• She’s going to take the job whether or not it means moving to another city. / She’s going to take the job whether it means moving to another city or not.

even if

Similar in meaning to whether or not in that the result will happen regardless of the condition, but even if emphasises that the condition may be extreme, unlikely, or would normally change the result. It is not normally used for simple opposite possibilities; in that case, whether or not is preferred:

• I wouldn’t date you even if you were the last man alive.
• Even if I passed my driving test, I wouldn’t be able to afford a car.

suppose (that), supposing (that), what if

This conditional clause usually comes first (before the main/result clause) and is used to invite the listener to imagine the condition:

• Suppose you found $100, what would you do with it?
• Supposing that you hadn’t come home early, you’d never have caught him.

in case

The main clause contains an action taken to prepare for the possibility that the condition happens:

• I’ll take some sandwiches in case we get hungry.
• Take some money in case you need to get a taxi home.

in the event (that)

The main clause contains a plan that will come into effect if a future condition happens:

• In the event the cabin loses pressure, oxygen masks will drop from the panel above your head.
• We’ll book a venue in Manchester in the event that the one in Liverpool is not available.

unless

The result will happen except when the stated condition happens:

• We’ll go hiking unless it rains.
• Unless you take the clothes back within four weeks, you won’t be able to get a refund.

if necessary, if in doubt, if possible

In certain expressions, the subject and verb be can be omitted:

• If necessary, you can phone me on my home number. (If it is necessary)
• I’d like four tickets if possible. (If it is possible; this makes a request more polite)
• If in doubt, speak to a doctor. (If you are in doubt; commonly used with the imperative)

if so, if not

Used to confirm that something happened (or didn’t happen) or is true or not:

• Did you pick a film to watch? If so, I’ll get the tickets.
• Did John send you the information? If not, I’ll ask him to send it.

Note that we don’t usually use yes or no for positive or negative confirmations:

• Did you pick a film to watch? If yes, I’ll get the tickets.
• Did John send you the information? If no, I’ll ask him to send it.

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