Conjunctions of Condition
As their name requires, conjunctions of condition are used to express events that need a special condition to happen.
What Are Conjunctions of Condition?
Conjunctions of condition are used to express a condition or contingency that must be met for something to happen or be true. They are words that connect two clauses or phrases to indicate that one is dependent on the other.
Common Conjunctions of Condition
The following list presents some of the conjunctions that can be used to form conditional sentences:
Here are a few examples using these conjunctions:
He was going to ditch us
If
The conjunction 'if' is used to introduce a clause that expresses a condition or contingency that must be met for something to happen or be true. It is commonly used in the zero, first, second, third, and mixed conditionals. Here are a few examples:
Unless
Unless is used to indicate that something will not happen if something else does not happen. In other words, 'unless' means 'if not'. Here are a few examples:
He won't go to sleep
Once
The conjunction 'once' usually means 'as soon as', but in some contexts, it can also mean the same as 'if'. In general, 'once' is used to indicate that something will happen immediately after a certain condition is met. For example:
Phrases That Indicate Conditions
There are some phrases that can act as conjunctions to link two clauses, where one of the clauses expresses a condition. Here are the phrases:
- In case
- As long as/so long as
- Provided (that)
- Only if
- If only
In Case
'In case' is used to express the possibility that something might happen, and to prepare for that possibility by taking action or making a plan. It can also be used to express a condition or contingency that must be met in order for something to happen or be true. Here are a few examples:
Keep the blanket,
As Long As, So Long As
'As long as' and 'so long as' have the same meaning. They are both used to introduce a clause that expresses a condition and can mean 'provided that'. Check out the examples:
She would take care of the kids
Provided (that)
The conjunction 'provided' is sometimes followed by the word 'that'. Together, they are used to introduce a clause that expresses a condition, and can mean 'in a condition that', 'if', or 'only if'.
Check out a few examples:
You can stay here,
The doctor will help,
Only If
Only if has the same meaning as provided that. It means 'in a condition that'. Here are a few examples:
Maria will talk to him,
If Only
If only is used to express a hypothetical or wishful condition in which something unpleasant could be avoided or changed. Check out these examples for more clarification:
I would do whatever I could
Inversion
We can form conditional sentences without 'if' by using an inverted past subjunctive clause which marks the condition, followed by the main clause which expresses the consequence. This makes the sentence more formal. Pay attention to the examples:
Review
Conjunctions of condition are used to express a particular condition for something else to happen. They can be single words or phrases that can link two clauses. Here are conditional conjunctions.
- If
- Unless
- Once
- In case
- As long as/so long as
- Provided (that)
- Only if
- If only