New here? This is lesson 201 of a free 240-lesson English course.
If, then in English
Ana and Tasha want a walk by the lake. The sky looks gray, and the L may run late.
At the Blue Plate, they make a plan with if and then. If it snows, Ana will stay home. If she is free, Tasha tells her to come by.
Murray starts an if about the jukebox, then loses the thread. His coffee stays unfinished.
By the end, you'll say if, what if, unless, as long as, and otherwise, and you'll make a plan for bad weather.
By the end of this lesson
Make a plan with if, what if, unless, as long as, and otherwise.
- If it snows, I'll stay home.When there's snow, I won't go out.
- If you're free, come by.Come over when you have time.
- What if the L is delayed?What should we do if the train is late?
- Unless we leave now, we'll be late.We have to leave now or we'll be late.
- As long as you're okay with it.I'll do this only if you agree.
- Otherwise, let's do it tomorrow.If that doesn't work, we'll try the next day.
Scene — a gray sky over the lake
Saturday at the Blue Plate. Ana and Tasha sit in a booth with coats on the seat. They want a lakefront walk, but the sky is gray.
Murray sits on two stools at the counter. Dee refills his coffee. The jukebox by the door stays quiet.
Learn — if, then, and unless
Six lines help you make a plan. You will hear if, what if, unless, as long as, and otherwise.
Use them to talk about snow, the L, and a walk.
If it snows, I'll stay home.
When there's snow, I won't go out.
When to use it: Say this when snow will keep you inside.
I'll is I will as one piece.
Say it: I'll is one short word.
If you're free, come by.
Come over when you have time.
When to use it: Use this to invite someone who may have time.
You're is you are as one piece.
What if the L is delayed?
What should we do if the train is late?
When to use it: Ask this when a train might run late.
What if names a problem that might happen.
Say it: Delayed ends with a d sound.
Unless we leave now, we'll be late.
We have to leave now or we'll be late.
When to use it: Say this when you must go now or miss it.
Unless means if we do not.
As long as you're okay with it.
I'll do this only if you agree.
When to use it: Say this when you need the other person to agree.
As long as means only if they agree.
Say it: As and long can link.
Otherwise, let's do it tomorrow.
If that doesn't work, we'll try the next day.
When to use it: Offer this when the first plan may fail.
Otherwise starts a second plan when the first fails.
Say it: The stress is on the first part.
Story — they make a plan
Watch Ana and Tasha plan a walk. If it snows, Ana will stay home.
The highlighted words are the lines you just learned.
- Saturday in a booth. Coats on the seat. The sky over the lake looks gray.
TashaLet's check the weather first.We should look at the weather before we go.
AnaIf it snows, I'll stay home.When there's snow, I won't go out.- TashaIf you're free, come by.Come over when you have time.
- AnaWhat if the L is delayed?What should we do if the train is late?
- TashaIf it's delayed, we'll take the bus.If the train is late, they will ride the bus.
- AnaAs long as you're okay with it.I'll do this only if you agree.
- TashaWorks for me. Otherwise, let's do it tomorrow.The plan is okay, or they can try the next day.
DeeStay for pie, hon.She wants them to stay and eat pie.- TashaUnless we leave now, we'll be late.We have to leave now or we'll be late.
- Murray looks at the jukebox. It clicks, then plays nothing. His coffee sits unfinished.
MurrayIf B7 ever plays, I mean...He starts a plan about the jukebox, then stops.- DeeLeave that box, hon.She does not want anyone to open the jukebox.
- TashaText me when you leave.Send a message at the time you go.
- AnaI'll text you.She will send a phone message.
Practice — pick the right if
Nine short exercises wait here. You will listen, pick, fill a gap, and build a line.
They stay small, so the round moves fast.
0 of 9 done
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
Match the pairs
English
If you're free, come by.Drop the Simple English hereWhat if the L is delayed?Drop the Simple English hereAs long as you're okay with it.Drop the Simple English hereOtherwise, let's do it tomorrow.Drop the Simple English hereSimple English
What do you say?
What do you say?
A friend has a free afternoon. You want her to come to the diner.
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
What if the L is delayed?
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
We have to leave now or we'll be late.
____ we leave now, we'll be late.
Build the line
Build the line
If that doesn't work, we'll try the next day.
, .
Tap the words in order.
Pick the reply
Tasha says:
Pick the reply
Want me to book the later train?
She asks if she should change the train time.
And you reply with:
Swap the word
Swap the word
A friend offers a plan. You agree it is okay for you.
Works for ____.
True or false?
True or false?
This line means you already looked at the weather.
Say it — say the plan
Now you're Ana. You and Tasha make a plan for the lake. When it's your turn, tap the microphone and speak.
Tap play first if you want to hear the line. Your recording stays on your device.
- TashaLet's check the weather first.We should look at the weather before we go.
- Ana (you)Say you will not go out when there is snow.
Say you will not go out when there is snow.
If it snows, I'll stay home.
When there's snow, I won't go out.
0 of 5 said
Recap — what you can say now
| English | Simple English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| If it snows, I'll stay home. | When there's snow, I won't go out. | |
| If you're free, come by. | Come over when you have time. | |
| What if the L is delayed? | What should we do if the train is late? | |
| Unless we leave now, we'll be late. | We have to leave now or we'll be late. | |
| As long as you're okay with it. | I'll do this only if you agree. | |
| Otherwise, let's do it tomorrow. | If that doesn't work, we'll try the next day. |
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