IF alternatives:
words and expressions to replace 'if'

‘If’ can be replaced by words or expressions with a similar meaning.
The most common alternatives for ‘if’ are:
- as long as,  provided/providing (that),  on condition that,  when,  once,
without,  but for,  should,  were,  had,  in case,  unless

AS LONG AS / PROVIDED / PROVIDING THAT / ON CONDITION THAT:

• You can borrow my dictionary (if) as long as you return it when you’ve finished.
• I’ll lend you my car (if) providing/provided (that) you promise to drive carefully.
• The bank will lend us the money (if) on condition that it is repaid within 12 months.

WHEN / ONCE :

• If you start, you may not be able to stop.
• When you start, you may not be able to stop.
• Once you start, you may not be able to stop

WITHOUT / BUT FOR :

• If he hadn't intervened, the boy would have drowned.
• Without his intervention, the boy would have drowned.
• But for his intervention, the boy would have drowned.

SHOULD / WERE / HAD :

We can invert the subject-verb order of the conditional clause and remove 'if' to add emphasis:

• If you should ...
• Should you need my advice, you can call me at any time.
• If you were ...
• Were you to arrive before me, please wait for me at the door.
• If I had known ...
• Had I known the traffic was so heavy, I would have taken the train.

NEGATIVE SENTENCES :

In negative sentences ‘if’ can be replaced by ‘unless’ :

• If you don't prepare for the interview, you won't feel confident.
• Unless you prepare for the interview, you won't feel confident.
• If you don't leave now, you won't catch the train.
• Unless you leave now, you won't catch the train.