- Ejercicio
- Explicación
- Video
📝 Instructions for the Activity
In this activity, you will see 10 sentences, each with a blank space.
Your task is to choose the correct answer from three options.
👉 Only one option is correct, so read carefully and choose the best one!
When you select an answer, the system will automatically check it and tell you if your choice is right or wrong.
At the end of the activity, you will get a summary of all your answers,
plus explanations for the correct ones, so you can learn and improve.
💪 Take your time, do your best, and most importantly—have fun learning!
Good luck!
🔹 Advanced Conditionals: If Only, Provided That, and Unless
Conditional structures help us talk about possibilities, wishes, and consequences. These three expressions are useful when speaking about real, unreal, or hypothetical situations.
Let’s explore how to use them effectively at a B2 level.
1️⃣ If Only – Used to express strong wishes or regrets
🟣 Meaning:
“If only” is used when we wish something was different. It can refer to the past, present, or future.
It’s like saying “I really wish…” or “I regret that…”
🟣 Structures:
- If only + past perfect → Regret about the past
👉 If only I had studied harder.
(= I didn’t study enough, and I regret it.) - If only + past simple → Wish about the present
👉 If only I knew the answer.
(= I don’t know the answer now, but I wish I did.) - If only + would / will → Wish about the future
👉 If only it would stop raining!
(= It’s raining now. I hope it stops.)
🟣 Examples:
- If only I had taken the job offer. (regret about the past)
- If only he lived closer. (wish about the present)
- If only tomorrow will be sunny. (hope about the future)
2️⃣ Provided That – A formal way to say “if”
🟢 Meaning:
“Provided that” is used to express a condition that must be met for something to happen. It sounds more formal than “if.”
🟢 Structure:
Provided that + present simple / future → Condition for a future result
🟢 Examples:
- You can borrow my car provided that you drive carefully.
(= You must drive carefully, or you can’t borrow it.) - We’ll have a picnic provided that it doesn’t rain.
(= Only if it doesn’t rain, we’ll go.) - They will accept your proposal provided that all documents are ready.
🟢 Tip:
You can use as long as or only if in similar contexts, but provided that sounds more formal or academic.
3️⃣ Unless – “If not” / Negative condition
🔴 Meaning:
“Unless” introduces a negative condition. It means “except if” or “if not.”
🔴 Structure:
Unless + present simple → Future condition (common case)
Unless + past perfect → Unreal past condition (less common)
🔴 Examples:
- I won’t go unless you come with me.
(= I’ll only go if you come.) - We’ll get wet unless we take umbrellas.
(= We need umbrellas, or we’ll get wet.) - He wouldn’t have missed it unless he had been really sick.
(= The only reason he missed it was because he was sick.)
🔄 Summary Table
| Phrase | Type | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| If only | Wish / Regret | I wish something was different | If only I had more time. |
| Provided that | Condition | Only if something happens | You can go provided that you behave. |
| Unless | Negative condition | Except if / If not | You won’t pass unless you study. |
✨ Tips for Learners:
✅ Use if only when you want to express deep emotions, like regret or hope.
✅ Use provided that in formal writing or rules (contracts, instructions).
✅ Use unless to shorten and simplify negative conditions.