TA2.U10.p195.

grammar reference

inversions and related forms to conditionals

● Inversion with should:
Should you see John, tell him to call me.
equivalent to

If you see John, tell him to call me. (zero conditional)

● Inversion with past participle:

Had he woken up on time, he wouldn’t have been late.
equivalent to

If he had woken up on time, he wouldn’t have been late.

● if only: emphasis
If only I had money, I would buy food.
If only I were able to drive!

● unless: except on the condition that

Unless you save money, you won’t be able to buy a house.
equivalent to
If you don’t save money, you won’t be able to buy a house.

● otherwise: something to the contrary

You’d better study, otherwise you won’t pass the exam.
equivalent to

If you don’t study, you will not pass the exam.

● provided that, as long as, on the condition that
He’ll help them provided that you help them too.
as long as
on the condition that

● but for: if it weren’t for

But for Jane’s help, I wouldn’t have finished the project.
equivalent to

If it weren’t for Jane’s help, I wouldn’t have finished the project.