If / Unless Expressing a specific condition for an outcome

If / Unless

IF If introduces a clause with a condition (one of many) to achieve a specific outcome. The (dependent) clause may be placed before or after the the main (independent) clause. OUTCOME IF You will have a tender turkey if you cook it slowly. You will have a tough turkey if you overcook it. We'll arrive at 8:00 if our train is on time. If you wish, we'll bring some champagne.

UNLESS Unless (if...not) introduces a (dependent) clause with a condition that is an exception to achieving the outcome in the main clause. OUTCOME EXCEPT IF / IF NOT You will have a tender turkey unless you overcook it. You will have a tough turkey unless you cook it slowly. We'll arrive at 8:00 unless our train is late. Unless you object, we'll bring some champagne.

Clause Placement & Punctuation

STANDARD PLACEMENT When the if-clause or unless-clause is placed after the main clause (medially), NO COMMA is used. We'll bring some champagne If you wish. We'll bring some champagne unless you object.

EMPHASIS PLACEMENT When the if-clause or unless-clause is placed before the main clause (initially), a COMMA is used. If you wish, we'll bring some champagne. Unless you object, we'll bring some champagne.

Tense Use
PRESENT / PAST When discussing habits or routines, the present or the past tense can be used in conditioned statements. See Pres-Past Conditions We usually arrive at 8:00 if our train is on time. We usually arrived at 8:00 if our train was on time. We always arrive at 8:00 unless our train is late. We always arrived at 8:00 unless our train was FUTURE However, when discussing future plans, the present tense is usually used to refer to the future in the unless-clause or if-clause.

We will arrive at 8:00 if our train is on time. We will arrive at 8:00 if our train will be on time. We'll arrive at 8:00 unless our train is late. We'll arrive at 8:00 unless our train will be late. Use present tense.

late.

Connectors for Condition vs. Outcome CONDITION If / only if / unless / provided that (a conjunction) introduces a clause with a specific condition to achieve an outcome. If you use a thermometer, This is one way to tell when it's ready. There may be other ways as well. Only if you use a thermometer, There is only one way to tell when it's done. (Specifically, use this way.) Provided that you use a thermometer, There is only one way to tell when it's done. (Specifically, use this way.) Unless you use a thermometer, Not using a thermometer will give bad results. (Listen to me!) Use a thermometer.

OUTCOME Otherwise / or else (if...not) introduces a clause with a the likely outcome if you do not do the action in the clause or sentence before it.

you will know when your turkey is done.

will you know when your turkey is done.

you will know when your turkey is done. you won't know when your turkey is done.

Otherwise, you won't know when your turkey is done. (Introduces an independent clause) or else you won't know when your turkey is done.

Use a thermometer,

Note: Sometimes, using the negative form is a way for the speaker to impose his/her will. Compare: "Are you tired?" and "Aren't you tired?". The speaker, when using the negative, wants the listener to agree.

Only If Word Order Transposition Only IF (at the beginning of the sentence) CONDITION Conjunction Condition (followed by a comma)

OUTCOME The auxiliary verb moves in front of the subject in the if-only-clause.

If Only if If Only if If Only if

you dry your dishes with a towel, you dry your dishes with a towel, you use Zing dish soap, you use Zing dish soap, you used Zing dish soap, you used Zing dish soap,

they will be spotless! will they [will] be spotless!

you get really clean dishes. do you [do] get really clean dishes. (get = do get)

you got really clean dishes. (got = did get) did you [did] get really clean dishes.

Note: If there is no auxiliary verb , you will need to add one.

A Condition vs. A Wish ONLY IF Us only if to indicate the one condition required to achieve a desired effect. (under one condition) When used at the beginning of the sentence the auxiliary verb is moved before the subject. Only if you dry your dishes with a towel, will they be spotless! Only if you clean up your room, will you find your lost jeans. Your windows will be clean enough to see your face only if you wash them with Zing! I will please my mother-in-law only if my house is clean.

IF ONLY Use if only to express a wish one that you are doubtful about actually happening. The result clause is optional and is separate. It is more emphatic than I wish

If only I had more time! I could relax. If only you would clean up your room. You would find your lost jeans. If only I had some Zing window cleaner.

If only I could please my mother-in-law.

I am happy only if you are here. / Only if you are If only you were here! here, am I happy. She was pleasant only if we told her what she wanted to hear.

If only he hadn't told his mother everything.

Also see Wishes (only if)

Even if & Whether or not EVEN IF

WHETHER OR NOT Whether or not introduces a dependent clause in which the condition or its alternative does not stop the completion of the outcome in the main clause. That is, if the condition exists or if the condition does not exist, the outcome will or must happen anyway. Whether can be split apart from or not by the subject and verb phrase of the clause. See If / Whether THE CONDITION OUTCOME DOESN'T MATTER whether or not I have much time. whether it is raining or not . whether or not he says it. whether or not we wants to work all night.

Even if introduces a clause with a challenging or negative condition. The speaker is saying that no condition will stop the outcome. Even if emphasizes the speakers intent to achieve the outcome or goal without regard for a difficult or negative condition. OUTCOME I'll help you CHALLENGING CONDITION

even if I don't have much I'll help you time. even if it is raining. even if your father doesn't say it even if he has to work all night. I like to walk to work

I like to walk to work

Your father loves you

Your father loves you

He'll get his work done

He'll get his work done

alternative (n.) something you can choose to do or use instead of something else Also see even if Adverbs of Emphasis

YOUR RESPONSE OPTIONS

01. Most drivers will let you change lanes you signal well in advance. 02. You shouldn't change lanes you signal first. 03. A driver may change lanes it is safe to do so. 04. A driver should stop and check for oncoming traffic before making a right turn on a red light; , he will cause an accident. 05. A driver may make a right turn on a red light it is a one-way street and the traffic is oncoming. 06. A driver can go through a red light a police officer signals the driver to do so. 07. A driver may drive 65 mph in a zone that is marked 65 mph it is unsafe to do so. 0 8. Drivers must be careful; , accidents will happen. 09. you put your full attention on driving, will you lower your chances of having an accident. 10 A driver should park in a handicapped space the driver has a special permit.

11. When parking, a driver should park between the marked lines. , he will take up two spaces. 12. A driver should look carefully before opening his door on the traffic side of the street, oncoming traffic may hit the door.