As Long As vs. If

'As long as' and 'if' are conjunctions that talk about conditions. In this lesson, we will discover their uses and differences.

What Is Their Main Difference?

Usage

'As long as' and 'if' are synonyms. However, they can be used in different situations:

As long as

'As long as' is used to mean 'if.' We use it to express conditions and requirements.

You can go out as long as you behave.

We can also use it to express time.

We would stay as long as you like.

'As long as' can also be used to compre length.

This snake is as long as the other one.

If

'If' is used to introduce conditions. 'If' is less demanding than 'as long as' but it is more commonly used. We use to show that an action or event happens when another action is fulfilled.

It would have been interesting if there wasn't too much violence in it.

I can help him if he asks me to.

Parts of Speech

'As long as' and 'if' are conjunctions. They are used to connect clauses. They are classified as subordinating conjunctions.

You can come to my party if you bring more drinks with you.

You can come to my party as long as you bring more drinks with you.

Position in a Sentence

We can use 'as long as' and 'if' at the beginning and the middle of a sentence. Watch:

If anything goes wrong, we might get fired.

We might get fired if anything goes wrong.

As long as you keep your distance, we are on good terms.

We are on good terms as long as you keep your distance.

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