Unless / As long as and provides / providing Unless 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 Some more examples of unless: - I'll see you tomorrow unless I have to work late. - Don't tell Sue what I said unless she asks you. - Shall I tell Sue what you said? Not unless she asks you. - I don't like fish, I wouldn't eat unless I was extremely hungry. We often use unless in warnings: - We'll be late unless we hurry. - Unless you work much harder, you won't pass the exam. - I was told I wouldn't pass the exam unless I worked harder. Instead of unless it is often possible to say if... not: - Don't tell Sue what I said if she doesn't ask you. - We'll be late if we don't hurry. As long as etc As long as or so long as provided (that) or provinding (that) All these expressions mean 'if' or 'on condition that'. For example: - You can use my car as long as you drive carefully. (= You can use my car but you must drive carefully - this is a condition) - Travelling by car is convenient provided/providing (that) you have somewhere to park. (= but only if you have somewhere to park) - Providing/provided (that) she studies hard, she'll pass her exams. (= she must study hard - if she does this, she will pass) When you are talkin about the future, do not use will after unless / as long as / provided / providing. Use a present tense: - We'll be late unless we hurry. (not 'unless we will hurry') - Providing she studies hard, she will pass the exam. (not 'providing she will study') exercises home |