Conversation about considering a doctor's appointment with alternative words to 'if':
B: Hi!
A: How have you been?
B: Good is good, and you?
A: I'm feeling a little under the weather.
B: Why?
A: Because I have had diarrhea for two weeks.
B: Golly gosh! When I feel sick, I go to the doctor.
A: But in case I go to the doctor, I will spend a fortune.
B: It doesn't have to cost you an arm and leg if you go to Dr. Simi. Supposing I were you, I would go there.
A: So, you think that unless I had gone there, I would be ill.
B: Of course milord, I'm sure that on condition that you had gone there, you would have got recovered.
A: Thanks for the advice.
B: Unfortunately as you know I didn't study medicine. However, only if I were a doctor, I would have assisted you.
Condition Words as alternatives to ‘if’ & Their Usage
1. Unless (= “if not”)
- Use when you mean a result will happen except when some condition is true.
- Always with real/likely conditionals (zero or first conditional), not past unreal.
- Example (medical):
The patient will recover fully unless they develop an infection.
(i.e. recovery happens except if infection occurs)
2. Provided (that) / Providing (that) / On condition (that)
- Use to emphasise a strict requirement the condition must meet (“only if”).
- Formal register, ideal in clinical or policy contexts.
- Example (medical):
You may be discharged provided that your vital signs remain stable for 24 hours.
3. As long as / So long as
- Similar to “provided” but more neutral tone; implies condition is acceptable.
- Use for real conditions with expectation they will be met.
- Example (medical):
You can start light exercise as long as your blood pressure stays within normal limits.
4. When / Once
- Use when the condition is expected to happen — not hypothetical or uncertain.
- Subtle difference from “if”: “when” implies certainty.
- Example (medical):
Once the biopsy results are available, we will schedule appropriate treatment.
5. In case (that) / In the event that
- Indicates preparatory action anticipating a possible (often unlikely) condition.
- Use when you act to prevent harm or be ready.
- Example (medical):
We will keep oxygen on standby in case the patient’s oxygen saturation drops below 92%.
6. Supposing / Suppose
- Use to introduce an imagined/hypothetical scenario — often in speculative, w‑questions.
- A good tool in case‑based teaching/discussion.
- Example (medical):
Suppose the patient has an allergic reaction—what would be your immediate response?
7. Even if / Whether or not
- Use to stress that the result happens regardless of the condition.
- Example (medical)
The medication must be administered even if the patient complains of mild nausea. (i.e. regardless of nausea presence)
Or: Symptom resolution should occur whether or not the patient adheres to dietary restrictions.
Speaking Online Game of Conditionals
https://wordwall.net/es/resource/59209979
Questions and
answers with the conditionals
Zero
Conditional
What do you do
if it is raining?
If it’s
raining, I watch series on Netflix
What do you do
if...?
First
Conditional
What will you
do if you stay at school after the English lesson?
I will read my notes if I stay at school after the English lesson.
What will you
do if...?
Second
Conditional
What would you
do if you were under arrest?
I would have good behaviour to be free if I were under arrest.
What would you
do if...?
Third
Conditional
What would you
have done, if you had killed someone?
If I had killed
someone, I would probably have been in jail.
What would you
have done if you had...?
First Mixed
Conditional
What would you
do if you hadn’t done your homework yesterday?
If I hadn’t
done my homework yesterday, I wouldn’t probably be worried.
What would you
do if you had...?
Second Mixed
Conditional
What would you
have done if you were at the doctor’s yesterday?
If I were at
the doctor’s yesterday, I would have told him how I was feeling.
What would you
have done if you...?
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