EVEN IF

Even if emphasizes that something will happen, would happen or would have
happened whatever the condition:

• Even if we leave right now, we still won't catch the train.

• I wouldn't go into the water even if I could swim.

• Even if we had booked our flight earlier, it wouldn't have been cheaper.

• Even if you are tired, please come.

• Nobody believes him even if he tells the truth.

• I always wake up automatically at 7:00 even if I forget to set the alarm.

• Seat belts are necessary even if your car is equipped with airbags.

• Even if you think you won't be successful, you should try it at least.
 ONLY IF

• Only if makes the condition more restrictive:

• Acetaminophen is dangerous to children only if dosage is too high.
• If the if-clause is first, the subject and the auxiliary in the main clause are
inverted:
• Only if you like classical music is it worth coming tonight.
• He's welcome to come along only if he behaves himself.
• Only if you do well on your exams will we give you your bicycle.

• I will let you go only if you tell the truth.

• Tom could have started work again only if he had apologized to the manager.

• Sharks are generally aggressive only if they are disturbed.

 UNLESS

• Unless is followed by an affirmative verb to express "if ... not":

• My leg's broken. I can't stand up unless you help me. (I can't stand up if you don't
help me.)
• You will feel cold if you don't wear a coat.
• You will feel cold unless you wear a coat.
• I'll arrive at 10am unless there is traffic.
• I'll arrive at 10am if there isn't traffic.
 OTHERWISE

• Unless is similar in meaning to if not and can be used instead of if not in certain
types of conditional sentences. We normally use unless with present tenses when
we are referring to the future:

• *You won't get in to see the show, if you don't have reserved seats. OR:

• *Unless you have reserved seats, you won't get in to see the show.
• /Let's play tennis on Saturday, if it's not raining.

• /Let's play tennis on Saturday, if it’s not raining. Otherwise we can go another day

• +I'll see you at the gym this evening, if you're not too tired.

• +I'll see you at the gym this evening, if you’re not too tired. Otherwise we can go

tomorrow.

• -We’d better send it express, otherwise it’ll take days.

• -If we do not send it express, it will take days. Otherwise I will give it to you when I travel

over there.
 CLEFT SENTENCES

• What I need now is a glass of wine

• A glass of wine is what you need now

• My left leg hurts Æ What hurts is my left leg

• I like her style Æ What I like is her style

• What they do is dump their products

• What I did was (to) call the police

• What he was trying to do was just earning your trust

• It was the boy who started the fight.

• It is rain that cancels parades.

• It is the secretary that I wish to thank.

• It was my mother who taught me to love.