Unless& As long as
Alternative conditionals
CEFR Pathway · You are here
Get talking · Section 1
5 minWarm up
Name one rule at home or work that starts with 'You can... as long as...'
Make a promise to your partner using 'unless something goes wrong'.
Think of a condition you'd set before agreeing to help a friend move house.
Grammar focus · Section 2
8–10 minUnless & As long as — alternative conditionals
Read the examples. What is the pattern? Say the rule in your own words first.
→ I'll go for a run unless it rains. (= if it doesn't rain)
→ You can stay out late as long as you text me.
→ We'll sign the contract provided that the price stays the same.
→ Unless you hurry, you'll miss the train.
Reveal the rule
UNLESS means 'if not' — it introduces the only situation that stops the result: 'I'll go unless it rains' = 'I'll go if it doesn't rain'.
More detail
AS LONG AS and PROVIDED THAT mean 'only if' — they set a necessary condition, often for rules or agreements: 'You can borrow it as long as you return it.' All three use present simple for the future, just like if/when.
Unless/As long as + present simple, will/can + infinitive
e.g. Unless you finish, you won't get paid.
When to use
- UNLESS: state the one exception that changes the result.
- AS LONG AS: set a condition for agreement or permission.
- PROVIDED THAT: more formal version of 'as long as'.
- Great for rules, contracts, warnings and negotiations.
| Expression | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Unless | if not | I'll go unless it rains. |
| As long as | only if | You can go as long as you're careful. |
Don't double-negate
NOT 'unless you don't hurry' — 'unless' already means 'if not', so just say 'unless you hurry'.
Memory tip
Unless = IF NOT. As long as = ONLY IF.
Natural English
'As long as' is very common in casual negotiation: 'That's fine as long as you're back by ten.'
Build the sentence → spot the natural chunks → say it aloud → reply like a real conversation.
1.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.
2.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.
3.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.
Question 1.I'll go for a walk ____ it rains. (= if it doesn't rain)
Question 2.You can borrow my car ____ you fill it up with petrol.
Question 3.Unless you ____, you'll miss the train.
Question 4.We'll go ahead ____ nothing changes.
Question 5.She'll help you ____ you ask nicely.
Vocabulary · Section 3
5–7 minWords & phrases to own
Don't just read these — say one out loud, then use it about your life.
a condition
a requirement that must be met
"There's one condition: no smoking."
Name a condition you'd set for a flatmate.
an exception
something that doesn't follow the usual rule
"Unless there's an exception, the rule applies to everyone."
Name an exception to a rule you know.
to negotiate
to discuss to reach an agreement
"We negotiated the price."
Describe something you once negotiated.
flexible
willing to change/adapt
"I'm flexible, as long as it's before Friday."
Say something you're flexible about.
strict
demanding exact rules
"My boss is strict about deadlines."
Something someone is strict about.
a compromise
an agreement where each side gives something up
"We reached a compromise."
Describe a recent compromise you made.
Discuss with a partner
- →What's a condition your parents/boss set for you?
- →Describe a compromise using 'as long as'.
Finish the sentence about you
- Unless there's an exception,... …
- As long as we're flexible,... …
- I'll agree, provided that... …
60-second write
Write 3 rules or agreements using unless / as long as / provided that.
Pronunciation · Section 4
3–4 minStressing the condition, not the connector
- • I'll go unless it RAINS.
- • You can stay as long as you're QUIET.
- • We'll agree provided the PRICE is fair.
- • Unless you HURRY, you'll be late.
How to say it
In 'unless' and 'as long as' sentences, the stress falls on the key condition word, not the connector itself. Practise: 'I'll go unless it RAINS' and 'You can stay as long as you're QUIET.'
Reading · Section 5
8–10 minThe flat-share agreement
When Priya moved into the shared flat, her new flatmates gave her a short list of house rules. 'You can use the kitchen whenever you like, as long as you clean up after yourself,' said Marco. 'And you're welcome to have friends over, provided that you tell us in advance.' The only strict rule was about noise: 'Unless it's a weekend, we ask for quiet after eleven,' explained Sofia. Priya thought the rules sounded reasonable — nothing unusual, just basic respect. 'That's totally fine,' she said. 'As long as everyone follows the same rules, I'm happy.' A month later, the arrangement was still working well. Unless something changes, Priya plans to stay in the flat for at least another year — she says it's the best flat-share she's ever had.
Read once for the overall message. Decide true or false first, then answer from memory — check the text only to find the sentence that proves you right.
Q1.Priya can use the kitchen anytime as long as she cleans up.
Q2.The quiet rule applies on weekends too.
Q3.Priya plans to move out immediately.
Answer from memory first. Type what you think, and only open the choices if you need them.
Question 1.What condition does Marco set for the kitchen?
Question 2.What must Priya do before having friends over?
Question 3.When is quiet required?
Listening · Section 6
8–10 minNegotiating a group project
Listening audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Show transcript
Sam:I'll do the presentation, as long as someone else handles the research.
Dev:Fine by me. I'll do the research, provided that we split the slides fairly.
Sam:Deal. Unless something comes up, I'll have my part ready by Thursday.
Dev:Great. And unless you object, let's practise together on Friday.
Sam:Works for me, as long as it's after 5pm.
Dev:Perfect. Unless the room's booked, we'll use the library.
First listening: catch the language, not the details. Tick what you hear, then listen again for the answers.
Question 1.What condition does Sam set for the presentation?
Question 2.What condition does Dev set for research?
Question 3.When can Sam practise?
Exam skills · Section 7
5 minCambridge PET — Writing (informal email negotiating plans)
Task
Write an email agreeing to something but setting a condition.
Strategy
Native-sounding negotiation emails often use 'as long as' or 'unless' to sound polite but clear: 'I'm happy to help, as long as...' is softer than a flat demand. Use 'unless' to flag one possible problem without sounding negative.
Example
'I'd love to join the trip, as long as we can leave a bit later on Saturday. Unless that's a problem, I'll confirm by Friday.'
Practice · Section 8
8–10 minFill in the blank
Q1.Write a sentence with 'unless' about a plan.
Q2.Write a sentence with 'as long as' about a house rule.
Q3.Write a sentence with 'provided that' about an agreement.
Question 1.I'll go ____ it rains. (= if it doesn't rain)
Question 2.You can borrow it ____ you return it tomorrow.
Question 3.____ you hurry, you'll miss the bus.
Question 4.We'll sign ____ the terms don't change.
Question 5.She'll come ____ she's invited.
Writing · Section 9
5 minPut it in writing
Plan first: three bullet points, then study the model and notice how it links ideas. Write only after that.
Your task
Write 100 words describing the rules of your ideal flat-share or workplace, using 'unless', 'as long as' and 'provided that' at least once each.
Plan (3 bullets)
- 1. What is the situation?
- 2. What are your two main points?
- 3. How will you finish it?
Study the model
In my ideal flat-share, everyone is relaxed as long as basic respect is kept. You can have people over whenever you like, provided that you let others know in advance. Noise isn't really an issue unless it's very late at night — after midnight, we'd keep things quiet unless it's a special occasion. Chores would be shared fairly: everyone cleans their own mess, as long as the shared spaces stay tidy. Unless there's a serious problem, disagreements get solved by simply talking, not avoiding each other. I think that kind of flexible, honest arrangement works best, provided that everyone actually sticks to it.
Speaking · Section 10
10–15 minMake it a real conversation
NEGOTIATION ROLEPLAY · In pairs, one student proposes a plan (a trip, a project, a favour); the other agrees but sets one condition using 'as long as' or 'unless'. Continue negotiating for 6 turns.
Useful phrases
- • I'll do it, as long as...
- • That's fine, provided that...
- • Unless there's a problem, I'll...
- • Deal — as long as you...
Decide & report
Work through the situation and agree on one decision together. Then report your decision in 30 seconds, giving two reasons.
- ACan I borrow your laptop this weekend?
- B_______________
- AOf course, I'll take good care of it.
- B_______________
Optional · Teacher-led
Teacher Activities
Final grammar-heavy lesson before the unit review — check students can rephrase if-sentences using unless/as long as. ~28 min total
Homework · Section 11
Take-homeTake it home
Write 5 sentences using unless / as long as / provided that.
Record a 1-minute negotiation roleplay using at least 3 conditional expressions.
Find a set of terms and conditions online and note any 'unless' or 'provided that' clauses.
Recap · Section 12
2–3 minWhat you've learned
- Unless = if not; states the one exception.
- As long as / provided that = only if; sets a necessary condition.
- All use present simple for future meaning, like if/when.
- Common in rules, contracts, negotiations and polite agreements.
- Don't double-negate after 'unless'.
Extra Practice
Grammar · Vocabulary · Speaking · Review
Found this lesson tricky? Practise the language from Lesson 34 again.
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