grammar · academic

Only if + clause, clause

Band 5-6speakingtask2

Expresses a necessary condition: Y happens only when X happens.

Examples

“You will pass the course only if you attend the lectures regularly.”

“Only if governments cooperate can we solve global problems.”

“Only if + clause, clause”

Band 8 sentence

“Only if educational reform addresses inequality will long‑term improvements in attainment be possible.”

Common mistakes

If only you study hard, you'll pass.→You will pass only if you study hard.

Only if you try, you will succeed.→Only if you try will you succeed. / You will succeed only if you try.

Say it for a higher band

5if→6only→7+Only if + clause, clause

Synonyms

provided (that)

Easily confused

Only if / If only

“Only if you apologise will she forgive you.”

Related words

By the time + clause, clauseWhether + clause (or not)So + adjective + that + clauseEven if + clause, clauseSuch + (a/an) + noun + that + clauseIf + past perfect, would have + past participleOn the one hand + clause; on the other hand + clauseGiven that + clause, + clause

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In Complex sentences

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