Conditionals: alternatives to “if”

1.1 Use I wish/If only + Past Simple to talk about the things we would like to be different in the present or the future, but which are impossible or unlikely. Use I wish/If only + Past Perfect to talk about things that happened or didn’t happen in the past and that we now regret.

Examples

I wish she were a bit more generous! 

If only the weather were sunny, we could go for a walk! 

If only I had studied harder! 

I wish I hadn’t gone there alone! 

1.2 Use as if/as though + Present Simple to describe situations that appear to be true;  as if/as though + Past Simple to describe situations that are contrary to reality (similar to the second conditional) and as if/as though + past perfect to refer to hypothetical or unreal situations in the past (similar to the third conditional).

Examples

She acts as if she knows everything.

It looks as though they’re not coming.

You talk as though we didn’t know each other.

He behaves as if he were the owner of the company.

The house looked as though no one had lived there for years.

She spoke as if she had seen a ghost.

1.3 Use whether … or not to express that something will happen or be true regardless of the condition.

Examples

Whether she likes it or not, she’s coming with us.

He’s going to give his opinion, whether you agree with him or not.

1.4 Use conjunctions on condition that, as long as, providing/provided that to introduce specific conditions for something to happen. Use the pattern: Main clause + conjunction + conditional clause.

Examples

I’ll lend you the book on condition that you return it next week.

We’ll go to the beach as long as the weather stays sunny.

You can attend the party provided that you behave yourself.

1.5 Use would rather + past simple to express a preference about the present or future. Use would rather + subject + past simple to describe preferences involving others.

Examples

I’d rather we stayed in tonight.

She’d rather we went to the cinema instead.

I’d rather you didn’t smoke in the house.

1.6 Use It’s (high) time + past simple to express that something should happen now or very soon.

Examples

It’s time we left for the airport.

It’s time you started taking things seriously.

It’s time we made a decision.

1.7 You can omit the subject and verb be in fixed expressions with if. Use the structure If + adjective/noun/adverb.

Examples

Call me if necessary. (=if it is necessary)

If in doubt, don’t drive. (=if you are in doubt)

1.8 Use but for in place of if not for to describe hypothetical situations in formal contexts.

Examples

But for their support, I would never have succeeded.

He would have failed but for the teacher’s help.

But for the rain, we would have finished the game