Chapter 7 word order & conjunctions

UNIT 23 IN CASE

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  In case is used when a speaker is not sure what will happen so the speaker gets ready for the possible situation:
  

John might phone tonight. I don’t want to go out in case he phones. (=because it is possible that he will phone)
Yesterday, we bought some more food in case Tom came. (=because it was possible that Tom would come)

• 
  When we talk about future we don’t use future forms in the in case part of sentences. We use present tense:
  

We will buy more food in case Tom comes. (=it is possible that Tom will come)

• 
  In case of … is different from in case. In case of something means if something happens:
  

In case of fire, please leave the building as quickly as possible. (=if there is fire…)


UNIT 24 UNLESS, AS LONG AS & PROVIDED/ PROVIDING THAT

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  Unless means except if:
  

Don’t tell Ann what I said unless she asks you. (=except if she asks you)

• 
  Instead of unless it is possible to say if … not:
  

We will be late unless we hurry. = We will be late if we don’t hurry.

• 
  As long as, provided (that), providing (that) mean but only if:
  

You can use my car as long as (or so long as) you drive carefully. (=but only if you drive carefully)
Travelling by car is convenient provided (that) you have somewhere to park. (but only if you have somewhere to park)
Providing (that) she studies hard, she should pass the examination. (but only if she studies hard)

• 
  When we are talking about future we don’t use future forms in the unless, as long as, provided or providing parts of sentences:
  

We’ll be late unless we hurry. (not unless we will hurry)
Providing she studies hard… (not providing she will study hard)