Conditionals 2 - B2

unless; in case; provided/providing that and as/so long as; I wish and if only;

You are going to hear a man talking to a group of people about something they are going to do tomorrow. Here are some of the things they are taking with them.

1. What do you think they are going to do?

2. Listen and check if you were right.

3. Listen again and fill in the gaps. Stop the recording when you need to.

Look at sentences 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 in Exercise 3. What do you notice about the tense of the verbs which follow the words in the gaps?

Unless means ‘if not’ and is used with the present tense to talk about a condition in the present or future:

We’re going unless the weather gets much worse. (= if the weather doesn’t get much worse)

We won’t have time to reach the top of the mountain unless we set out early. = if we don’t set out early

Unless you drive more slowly, I’ll be sick. = if you don’t drive more slowly

This water isn’t safe to drink unless you boil it. = if you don’t boil it

In case shows that an action is taken to prepare for a possible event or situation

We use the present tense after in case when we explain that a present action prepares us for a future event:

Take a whistle in case you get separated. = there’s a chance you might get separated and a whistle will help us find you.

We use the present tense after in case when we explain that a present action prepares us for a future event:

Make sure you have my phone number in case you miss the bus.

= I expect you’ll get the bus, but if you miss it, you’ll need to phone me

We use the past simple after in case to explain a past action.

It often shows that you did something because another thing might happen later:

He took his surfboard in case they went to the beach. = he took his surfboard because he thought they might go to the beach.

I had taken plenty of cash with me in case the shop didn’t accept credit cards.

In case does not mean the same as if.

Compare:

I’ll cook a meal in case Sarah comes over tonight. (= I’ll cook a meal now because Sarah might visit us later)

I’ll cook a meal if Sarah comes over tonight. (= I won’t cook a meal now because Sarah might not visit us)

These expressions are used with a present tense to talk about the future. They have a similar meaning to if:

As long as we all stay together, we’ll have a great time.

You’ll do very well in your interview, so long as you don’t talk too fast.

Provided (that) it doesn’t snow too heavily, I’ll see you here at six o’clock.

My father says he’ll meet us at the airport, providing (that) we let him know our arrival time.

If, unless, in case, provided/providing that and as/so long as are all followed by the present tense to talk about the future.

Some conjunctions (when, until, after, before, as soon as) are also followed by the present tense to talk about the future

I wish and if only are both used to express a wish for something.

They have the same meaning, but if only is less common and is usually stronger.

I Wish / if only + the past simple is used when we express a wish about a present situation:

I wish you loved me. (= but you don’t love me)

I wish I knew the answer. (= but I don’t know the answer)

If only he could drive. (= but he can’t drive)

If only we had a bigger flat! (= but our flat is small)

I wish I was/were clever like you. (= but I’m not clever)

I wish the weather wasn’t/weren’t so wet here. (= but it is wet)

If only my sister was/were here! (= but she isn’t here)

Wish / if only + the past perfect is used when we express a wish or regret about the past.

She wishes she’d (had) never met him. (= but she did meet him)

I wish we’d (had) come a few weeks ago. (= but we didn’t come)

If only I hadn’t broken that priceless vase! (= but I did break it)

Impossible Past - It’s like the third conditional – the event can’t be changed:

Wish / if only + would is used when we express a wish:

I wish you would stay longer.

If only the rain would stop!

I wish you wouldn’t leave your bag in the doorway.

I wish the waiter would hurry up. I’m so hungry!

Notice the difference between I hope + will and I wish + would when talking about the future:

I hope he will phone. (= there’s a good chance he will phone)

I wish he would phone. (= it’s unlikely he will phone)

When the subject of wouldrather is the same as the subject of the following verb, we normally use the infinitive without to:

They’d rather eat at home as they have a small baby.

I’d rather go home by taxi at this time of night.

We’d rather not spend too much money as we’re saving for a new car.

These words mean ‘because if not’:

I have to go to bed early, otherwise I get too tired. (= if I don’t go to bed early, I get too tired)

Back up your work as you go along, otherwise you could lose it all. (= if you don’t back up your work, you could lose it all)

Carry that tray with both hands or else you’ll drop it. (= if you don’t carry it with both hands, you’ll drop it)

They have to have a car or else they wouldn’t be able to get to work. (= if they didn’t have a car, they wouldn’t be able to get to work)

All the verbs marked * in this unit can also be followed by a that-clause with the same meaning:

I recommend using sultanas and apricots.

= I recommend (that) you use sultanas and apricots.

They agreed to leave early.

= They agreed (that) they would leave early.