lunes, 29 de diciembre de 2025

The Logic of Condition. Prepare for the future ("In case") or react to it ("If"). Understand the subtle difference between being safe and being ready.

The Logic of Condition | PAGS Unit

PAGS Level 3/4 Preparation

The Logic of
Condition

Prepare for the future ("In case") or react to it ("If"). Understand the subtle difference between being safe and being ready. Prepárate para el futuro ("In case") o reacciona a él ("If"). Entiende la sutil diferencia entre estar seguro y estar listo.

Start Game (50 Qs)

IN CASE (Preparation)

"I take an umbrella IN CASE it rains."

Action done NOW, just to be safe. (Rain or no rain).

Llevo paraguas POR SI ACASO llueve. (Lo llevo ya).

IF (Reaction)

"I take an umbrella IF it rains."

Wait and see. No rain = No umbrella.

Llevo paraguas SI llueve. (Espero a ver).

Phase 1

Safety vs Reaction

The most dangerous trap in English: "In case" does NOT mean "If". La trampa más peligrosa: "In case" NO significa "If".

IN CASE

Do A because B might happen.

"I bought food in case you come." Compré comida por si vienes. (La comida ya está comprada).

"Take a key in case I am out." Lleva llave por si estoy fuera.

IF

Do A only when B happens.

"I will buy food if you come." Compraré comida si vienes. (Si no vienes, no compro).

"Call me if I am out." Llámame si estoy fuera.

The Noun Trap

WRONG (Clause Structure)

"In case of it fires..."

RIGHT (Preposition)

"In case OF fire."

En caso de incendio. (OF + Sustantivo).

Phase 2

The Contract

Stronger than "If". You are making a deal. Más fuerte que "Si". Estás haciendo un trato.

AS LONG AS

"You can go as long as you are back by 10."

Siempre y cuando / Mientras que.

PROVIDED (THAT)

"I will pay provided you finish."

Con la condición de que (Formal).

ON CONDITION THAT

"He agreed on condition that he remain anonymous."

Con la condición de que (Muy formal).

Phase 3

The Alternatives

Two options, zero options, or the negative lock. Dos opciones, cero opciones o el bloqueo negativo.

WHETHER

Two options (Or not).

"Whether you like it or not."

Te guste o no.

"He asked whether I was ready."

Preguntó si estaba listo (Reported Speech).

"We discussed whether to go."

Discutimos si ir (o no).

EVEN IF

Result doesn't change.

"Even if it rains, I will go."

Incluso si llueve (aunque llueva), iré.

"...even if you paid me."

Ni aunque me pagaras.

UNLESS

IF NOT (A menos que).

"Unless you hurry..."

A menos que te des prisa (Si no corres).

"I won't go unless you go."

No iré a menos que tú vayas.

Never use a negative verb after UNLESS!
WRONG: "Unless you don't go."

The Condition Vault

Master List

The Arena (50 Qs)

Safety Net Challenge

L1: In case vs If
L2: As long as / Provided
L3: Whether / Even if / Unless
Boss: In case of (Noun)

My English lesson for ADULTS

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lunes, 29 de diciembre de 2025