Alternatives to if: supposing they say no? Exercises on conditions without if
About this lesson
This C1 drill lesson gives alternatives to if exercises: but for, supposing, assuming, on condition that, whether or not and otherwise, each with the tense it needs.
- Grammar
- But for + noun, supposing and what if in three tenses, assuming for what you expect, on condition that for terms, whether or not and otherwise.
- Topic
- Business: an invented Vermont furniture workshop and a Boston café chain bargain over tables and chairs by email, and the workshop's foreman, Ewart, texts you about the deal.
- Activities
- True or false, sorts, choices, typed gaps, matching, drag-and-drop texts, find-the-mistake quizzes, two rewrite tables, word order, a memory game, a chat and a final test.
What's inside
Chapter 1The rule
- PictureUnlock
- Study the scheme: alternatives to ifGrammar schemeTry it
- Is the sentence correct? Mark true or falseTrue or falseUnlock
- Sort the sentences: what does each word mean?Sort into columnsTry it
- Choose the right formChoose the optionUnlock
- Fill in the gaps: the right verb form after each wordFill in the gapsUnlock
Chapter 2But for the rain…
- Choose the right words: but for + nounChoose the optionTry it
- Fill in the gaps: say it with but for + a nounFill in the gapsUnlock
- Fill in the gaps: otherwise + the right verb formFill in the gapsUnlock
- Choose the right words: otherwise or a condition?Choose the optionUnlock
- Match the beginnings and the endings: but for and otherwiseMatchUnlock
- Read Zineb's story and drag the words into the gapsDrag and dropUnlock
- Find the mistake and choose the right words: but for and otherwiseQuizUnlock
Chapter 3Supposing…, what then?
- Choose the right form after supposing and supposeChoose the optionUnlock
- Fill in the gaps: supposing + the right tenseFill in the gapsTry it
- Sort the sentences: real, unlikely or in the past?Sort into columnsUnlock
- Choose the right words: assuming or what if?Choose the optionUnlock
- Match the beginnings and the endings: supposing and assumingMatchUnlock
- Choose the right meaningQuizUnlock
- Read Torin's message and drag the words into the gapsDrag and dropUnlock
Chapter 4On one condition
- Choose the right words: on condition thatChoose the optionUnlock
- Fill in the gaps: say it with whether or notFill in the gapsUnlock
- Choose the right words: only if, or it doesn't matter?Choose the optionUnlock
- Fill in the table: say it with the word givenFill in the tableTry it
- Read the market rules and drag the words into the gapsDrag and dropUnlock
- Find the mistake and choose the right words: on condition that and whether or notQuizUnlock
- Put the words in the right order: on condition that and whether or notUnjumbleUnlock
Chapter 5Real life: Closing the deal
- Read Obiora's emailReal-life documentUnlock
- Read the email again: true or false?True or falseUnlock
- Read Sigrid's reply and fill in the gapsFill in the gapsUnlock
- Read Obiora's answer and drag the words into the gapsDrag and dropUnlock
- Read Sigrid's note and choose the right wordsChoose the optionUnlock
- Choose the right replies: Ewart texts youChatTry it
- Test yourself: choose the right answerQuizUnlock
Chapter 6Homework
- Choose the right words: conditions at home and at workChoose the optionUnlock
- Write the sentences again with but forFill in the gapsUnlock
- Fill in the gaps: the right form after supposing, assuming and on condition thatFill in the gapsUnlock
- Drag the words into the gaps: everyday conditionsDrag and dropUnlock
- Put the words in the right order: conditions without ifUnjumbleUnlock
- Sort the sentences: correct or incorrect?Sort into columnsUnlock
- Fill in the table: say it another wayFill in the tableUnlock
- Find the mistake and choose the right words: at home and at workQuizUnlock
- Match the beginnings and the endings: everyday conditionsMatchUnlock
- Find the matching pairs: two ways to say itMemory gameUnlock
- Choose the right words: only if, or in any case?Choose the optionUnlock
- Is the sentence correct? Mark true or false: everyday EnglishTrue or falseUnlock
- Read the barn's FAQ and fill in the gapsFill in the gapsUnlock
- Read Chiamaka's post and drag the words into the gapsDrag and dropUnlock
- Choose the correct sentenceQuizUnlock
Grammar: alternatives to if: but for, supposing, otherwise
Several words can stand in for if, and each adds a meaning of its own: but for names what made the difference, supposing imagines a case, assuming expects one, on condition that sets a requirement and whether or not says it doesn't matter. Each word also fixes the verb form after it.
Alternatives to if: but for, supposing, otherwise and more
Formal and everyday ways to set a condition, imagine a case, or say that it doesn't matter.
Which word means what
But for means if it weren't or hadn't been for, and takes a noun: But for her advice, I'd have quit. Assuming means if, as we expect. Otherwise means if not and starts the result: Call her; otherwise she'll worry.
A word instead of if, then the result
but for + nounsupposing / assuming / on condition that / whether or not +result
But for the storm, the ferry would have sailed on time.
Supposing the van breaks down, who will pay for the repairs?
We'll sign on condition that you deliver by May.
Which word, what it means
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| but for + noun (or the fact that + clause) | if it weren't for / if it hadn't been for | But for her advice, I'd have quit. |
| supposing · suppose (that) · what if | imagine that…: usually a question; also a polite suggestion | What if the plane is late? |
| assuming (that) | if, as we expect, … | Assuming the store is open, we'll get the cake there. |
| on (the) condition (that) | only if: formal, for the terms of a deal | You can use the hall on condition that you clean it. |
| provided · providing (that) · as long as | only if (from B2) | Kids can join provided an adult comes too. |
| whether or not | it doesn't matter if … or not | We're open whether or not it snows. |
| even if | even in the case that (from B2) | I'll go even if it's cold. |
| otherwise | if not: it starts the result | Call her; otherwise she'll worry. |
The verb after each word
After supposing, suppose and what if, the present is a real case, the past an unlikely one and the past perfect an imagined past: Supposing we had stayed, would we have won? But for leads to would or would have: But for the rain, we'd have won.
| Word | Real, future | Unreal now | Unreal past |
|---|---|---|---|
| supposing · suppose · what if | + present: Supposing it snows, will you drive? | + past: Supposing you won, what would you buy? | + past perfect: Supposing we had stayed, would we have won? |
| assuming · on condition that · whether or not | + present: … on condition that you pay by Friday. | – | – |
| but for + noun | – | would: But for the noise, I'd sleep well. | would have: But for the rain, we'd have won. |
| otherwise | will: Pay now; otherwise we'll cancel. | would: I'm busy; otherwise I'd help. | would have: I left early; otherwise I'd have missed it. |
On condition that or supposing?
On condition that sets terms: The club will sign him on condition that he passes a medical. Supposing pictures a case that may never happen; Suppose we met at six? is a polite suggestion. A past report takes the past: They agreed on condition that we paid first.
on condition that: a requirement
- only if this happens: the terms of a deal
- The club will sign him on condition that he passes a medical.
- In a report about the past: They agreed on condition that we paid first.
supposing: an imagined case
- imagine this: what then? It may never happen.
- Supposing he fails the medical, who will they sign?
- Suppose we met at six? (a polite suggestion)
Whether or not or if?
With if, the result depends on the condition: We're leaving at six if Sam is ready. With whether or not, it happens either way: We're leaving at six whether or not Sam is ready. Or not can also come later, but if or not is wrong.
whether or not: it doesn't matter
- the result is the same either way
- We're leaving at six whether or not Sam is ready.
- also: whether Sam is ready or not · not: if or not
if: a condition
- the result depends on it
- We're leaving at six if Sam is ready.
- = If he isn't ready, we'll wait.
Common mistakes
Look out for But for you helped me, Supposing if it rains, on condition of you pay rent and Otherwise you hurry, we'll be late. The fixes: But for your help, Supposing it rains, on condition that you pay rent and Hurry; otherwise we'll be late.
But for you helped me, I'd have failed.
But for your help, I'd have failed.
but for + noun, never + clause
Supposing if it rains, what will we do?
Supposing it rains, what will we do?
supposing already means if: never both
You can stay on condition of you pay rent.
You can stay on condition that you pay rent.
on condition (that) + clause; no will after it
Otherwise you hurry, we'll be late.
Hurry; otherwise we'll be late.
otherwise comes after the condition: it starts the result
Examples
- But for the fact that she was ill, she would have come.but for the fact that + clause
- Suppose we met at six instead?a polite suggestion
- Assuming nobody minds, I'll open a window.as I expect
- The school accepted him on condition that he took extra classes.a past report: past tense
- I'll finish this whether or not you help me.in any case
- I had a map; otherwise I'd have gotten lost.= if I hadn't had a map
Two right answers
Many of these words overlap. on condition that = provided = providing = as long as (only if). supposing = suppose = what if (imagine). but for = if it weren't / hadn't been for. otherwise = or (else). assuming is often close to if. In the exercises, every word that fits is accepted, unless the hint names one.
More lessons on this grammar: Zero and first conditional lessons and exercises
Try the alternatives to if exercises
Try them yourself: these are the same exercises your students do in edio.
What's in the lesson
- 43 auto-checked exercises
- 3 games
- 1 real-life document
- 1 grammar scheme
- 1 picture
The main objectives of this lesson are to:
- follow but for with a noun, never a clause: But for your help, I'd have failed, not But for you helped me
- match the tense after supposing to how real the case is: Supposing it snows, will you drive? Supposing you won, what would you buy?
- expect something with assuming and set terms with on condition that: We'll sign on condition that you deliver by May.
- say the result stays the same with whether or not: We're open whether or not it snows.
- start the result with otherwise after a fact or a command: I left early; otherwise I'd have missed it.
- Grammar:
- but for · supposing / suppose / what if · assuming (that) · on condition (that) · whether or not · otherwise
- Topic:
- grammar practice · business English · negotiation · emails
Teaching tips
- Ask what saved or spoiled the week: each student names one thing and turns it into a noun after but for: But for the snowstorm, I'd have gone hiking. Anyone who slips into a clause tries again.
- Draw a ladder of three steps for supposing: present + will, past + would, past perfect + would have. Students point to a step before they fill each gap in chapter 3.
- Stage a short negotiation after the email thread: a buyer and a seller trade terms with on condition that, and the buyer raises worries with What if…? until they agree.
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The whole course: English Grammar Practice · C1
English Grammar Practice · C1 has 16 drill lessons on advanced grammar, one point each: inversion, cleft sentences, the subjunctive, advanced passives, ellipsis, nominalization, hedging, fronting and concession. Each has the rule as a scheme, 43 to 47 exercises that check themselves, 15 of them for homework, and no new words.See the course
- 1Inversion: never have I been so nervous!
- 2Conditionals without if: had I known, should you need, were I to
- 3Cleft sentences: it's the focus that counts
- 4Advanced passives: who was told what?
- 5The subjunctive: it's essential that everyone be honest
- 6Likelihood: is it bound to happen?
- 7Be to, about to, due to, set to: the first tram is about to leave
- 8Ellipsis and substitution: I hope so, I'd love to
- 9Nominalization: from “sales fell” to “a fall in sales”
- 10Advanced participle clauses: weather permitting
- 11Hedging: it would appear that we tend to agree
- 12Alternatives to if: supposing they say no?
- 13Fronting: strange as it may seem
- 14Advanced relative clauses: the rules, all of which are new
- 15However, whatever, no matter how: whatever happens, keep running
- 16Contrast and concession: office or home?