Adverb clauses of condition. Guided practice. Let's do some guided practice together with adverb clauses of condition. First, let's review what we've learned. If is used when A is necessary for B to happen. For example, if I have time at night, I watch a movie, or if I have some extra money, I buy new shoes. What about you? What do you do if you have a little extra money? Finish this sentence in your head. In case, and in the event, that mean if by chance A happens, in case my credit card doesn't work, I always carry cash. You can always use in the event that here. However, remember that this is more formal. Let's practice. In case I need help, I can call my neighbors. What about you? What do you do in case you need help? Unless means if not. I usually make dinner at home unless it's a Friday night. Unless it's a special occasion, I usually go to bed at 10 o'clock. What about you? What do you usually do on most nights if it isn't a special occasion? Finally, even, if, or whether or not are used when the condition has no effect on the result, it doesn't matter. Even if it's really cold outside, we always go for a walk. Whether I'm tired or not, I always play with my daughter. What about you? What do you always do whether you're tired or not? Now, let's practice thinking about conjunctions in a different way. Here's a sentence. You will fail the class, blank, you study really hard. Which conjunction fits best? If, in case, or unless? Remember, in case means if by chance, and unless means if not. Think for a moment. If you said unless, you're correct. The other answers didn't make sense with the meaning of the sentence. You can say, you'll fail the class if you don't study really hard. How about this? I'm going to succeed, blank, I have no help along the way. If, whether or not, or even if? Remember whether or not an even if both mean that the condition has no effect. Take a moment to think. A doesn't make sense. Having help does not keep you from succeeding. B and C both makes sense. Having help has no effect on if this person will succeed. It doesn't matter. However, look at this not. That means we can't use not in the conjunction. We can't say whether or not. The answer then is even if. You can see that it's important to know what the conjunctions mean if you're going to use them correctly. Let's do one more exercise to practice using these conditional conjunctions. This is Anna. Anna as a high school senior, and graduation is in a few weeks. However, Anna's grades are very bad. She's failed so many tests, and she doesn't know she'll graduate or not. Here are Anna's parents. They want to have a graduation party, but they're not sure if they can invite people or not. If Anna doesn't graduate, no one will feel like celebrating. What would Anna's parents say to their guests? Here's the condition. She might or might not graduate, and the result is that we will or we won't have a party. Let's practice making sentences about what Anna's parents might say. If she graduates, we'll have a party, or if she doesn't graduate, we won't have a party. In case she doesn't graduate, we won't have a party, and in the event that she doesn't graduate, we won't have a party. Both sentences mean they're not going to have a party at all because she might not graduate. Or in case she graduates, we'll have a party. Or in the event that she graduates, we'll have a party. These mean that they're going to have the party. They want to do it even if by chance she does not graduate. Unless. Unless she graduates, we won't have a party. Put if not in the condition and see if it means the same thing. If she doesn't graduate, we won't have a party. Yes. Or unless she does not graduate, will have a party. Finally, maybe Anna's parents just decide to have the party. They might say, even if she doesn't graduate, we'll have a party. This means graduating has no effect or doesn't matter, the party is going to happen. You could also say, whether or not she graduates, we'll have a party. Now, you're ready to practice on your own. Doing independent practice with conditionals will help you to understand them better. It's okay if they seem a little difficult now. Just practice, check your answers, and think deeply about your mistakes. All of this practice should help you to use the adverb clauses effortlessly in your own speaking and writing in real life. Just keep working hard, and you can do it.
