Exercise 1: Other Conditional Words

How could you rewrite the following sentences using the suggested alternative conditional words?

Write your answers in the boxes and click 'submit' to see a possible answer for each question. There are many possible answers.

E.g. as long as
I'll go if you go too
Answer: I'll go as long as you go too.

1. As long as

Did you have trouble copying your long essay? You should put more paper in the photocopier tray. That way you will not have any problems.
Write your answer in the box, then click 'Submit' to view the answer:
Suggested answer: As long as you put more paper in the photocopier tray you will not have any problems.

This is a type 5 conditional - prediction. You could also reverse this sentence:

You will not have any problems, as long as you put more paper in the photocopier tray.

2. Only if

Do not include that book in the reference list unless you have used it in the main text.
Write your answer in the box, then click 'Submit' to view the answer:
Suggested answer: Only include that book in the reference list if you have used it in the main text.

This is a type 5 conditional - command. N.B. only and if can be separated. If you keep only and if together the sentence is like this:

Include that book in the reference list only if you have used it in the main text.

3. Otherwise

If lectures are boring students will not want to attend.
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Suggested answer: Lectures should be interesting, otherwise students will not want to attend.

This is a type 5 conditional - prediction.

N.B. You cannot reverse the clauses in this sentence.

4. Provided (that)

If you include all the correct references you will not be plagiarising.
Write your answer in the box, then click 'Submit' to view the answer:
Suggested answer: Provided that you include all the correct references, you will not be plagiarising.

This is a type 3 conditional - implication. You could also reverse this sentence:

You will not be plagiarising, provided that you include all the correct references.

You could also omit the word that:

Provided you include all the correct references, you will not be plagiarising.

5. Providing (that)

If you have already answered the first question, you can do the second question.
Write your answer in the box, then click 'Submit' to view the answer:
Suggested answer: Providing (that) you have already answered the first question, you can do the second question.

This is a type 6 conditional with a present perfect - possible plan. You could also reverse this sentence:

You can do the second question, providing that you have already answered the first question.

You could also omit the word that:

Providing you have already answered the first question, you can do the second question.

6. Supposing

She will graduate next year if she passes all her courses.
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Suggested answer: She will graduate next year, supposing she passes all her courses.

This is a type 5 conditional - prediction. You could also reverse this sentence:

Supposing she passes all her courses, she will graduate next year.

7. Unless

Don't take this course if you are not ready to study statistics.
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Suggested answer: Don't take this course unless you are ready to study statistics.

This is a type 5 conditional - command. N.B. Unless = if not. That means that you don't need not with unless. The negative meaning of not is included in the negative prefix un. You could also reverse this sentence:

Unless you are ready to study statistics, don't take this course.

8. When

If we read the results carefully we are more aware of the limitations in the study.
Write your answer in the box, then click 'Submit' to view the answer:
Suggested answer: When we read the results carefully we are more aware of the limitations in the study.

This is a type 2 conditional - habit. You could also reverse this sentence:

We are more aware of the limitations in the study when we read the results carefully.

9. Whenever

We always have to wear goggles if we enter the lab.
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Suggested answer: We have to wear goggles whenever we enter the lab.

This is a type 2 conditional - habit. You could also reverse this sentence:

Whenever we enter the lab we have to wear goggles.

N.B. You do not need to include always if you have the word whenever.

10. Whether or not

They will invest in the project even if it does not make a lot of money.
Write your answer in the box, then click 'Submit' to view the answer:
Suggested answer: They will invest in the project whether or not it makes a lot of money.

This is a type 5 conditional - prediction. You can separate the phrase whether or not:

They will invest in the project whether it makes a lot of money or not.

You could also reverse this sentence:

Whether or not it makes a lot of money, they will invest in the project.

N.B. If you use whether or not the verb later in the sentence becomes positive, without not:

whether or not it makes a lot of money.

Compare this to the original, where even if is followed by a negative verb:

even if it does not make a lot of money.