Clauses stating reasons and conditions.

We have seen ways of describing reasons and conditions

before. Some of them are “because” to give a reason and “if” to
explain a condition.
I was at the bank because I needed money. (Giving a reason, responds
to the question why?)
I will stay at home if they go to the park. (Describes the condition).

But there are more ways to give reasons and state conditions,
here are some of them:

“Considering that” and “now that” introduce an adverb clause

of reason.
I need to buy 5 chickens for Christmas Eve considering that my whole
family is coming.
Now that I have a job that starts at 7 AM, I have to leave the house
early.

“Even if”, “as long as”, “Unless”, “only if”, “whether or not”,
“provided/providing (that)” and “(Just) in case” introduce an
adverb clause of condition.
Even if I’m tired, I’m going to complete this project.
I can work very well as long as I drink coffee in the morning.
Unless it’s raining, I usually ride my bike during the afternoon.
I only wake up early if I have something to do in the morning.
I wake up early only if I have something to do in the morning.
I will go on vacation on two weeks provided I finish all my work.
Providing that I finish all my work, I will go on vacation on two weeks.
Diana goes everywhere in her car whether or not the place is near.
Diana goes everywhere in her car whether the place is near or not.
We have to bring an umbrella just in case it rains.

Clauses that introduce conditions:

“Even if” introduces a condition that does not influence the

main clause.
I sometimes play video games after midnight even if I have to work the
next day.
Even if I’m hungry, I try to finish the responsibilities I have.

“As long as” introduces a condition on which the main clause

depends.
As long as I have a mask on, I feel protected.
I only need to sleep five hours as long as I take a nap during the day.

“Unless” introduces something that must happen to avoid a

consequence.
Unless I get a good night sleep, I can easily fall asleep at work.
She will be at the party unless her mother forbids her to go.
 “Only if” or “only…if” introduces a condition that must be met
for the main clause to be true. Note its two possible positions.
I only drink alcohol if I ate something beforehand.
I drink alcohol only if I ate something beforehand.
They go to the restaurant only if someone else invited them.
They only go to the restaurant if someone else invited them.

“Provided (that) / providing (that)” introduces a condition

that must be met for the main clause to be true.
Provided that I get all my schoolwork done, my weekend will be free.
Providing I get all my schoolwork done, my weekend will be free.
I’ll stay with my company a few more years, providing that I get a promotion.
I’ll stay with my company a few more years, provided I get a promotion.

“Whether or not” or “whether…or not” introduces a

condition that might or might not occur and which will not
influence the main clause. Note its two possible positions.
She goes jogging every morning whether or not there’s bad weather.
She goes jogging every morning whether there’s bad weather or not.
Whether it has eaten or not, the dog always waits for me in front of the house.
Whether or not it has eaten, the dog always waits for me in front of the house.
 “(Just) in case” introduces an undesirable circumstance that
needs to be taken into account.
I always set two alarm clocks in case I don’t hear one of them.
Just in case I forget my lunch at home, I store some cookies in that drawer.

Clauses that introduce reasons:

“Considering that” introduces causes and reasons that explain
the main clause.
We will move to Santiago next month considering that there are better
jobs there.
Considering that the price is too high, she will not subscribe to that Gym.

“Now that” introduces a change in general circumstances that

explain the main clause. It’s the same as “because now”.
Now that I have a job that starts at 7 AM, I have to leave the house early.
The dog can’t come into the house, now that we have a cat with us.