'Unless' vs 'As long as': What's the difference? English In A Minute

Hi, I'm Georgina from BBC Learning English.

In today's lesson, we look at the difference between

'unless' and 'as long as'.

Unless and 'as long as' can be used to replace 'if'

in different situations.

Let's have a look at some example sentences:

I will go to the party if you come too.

I will go to the party as long as you come too.

Both of these sentences have the same meaning.

Notice that the verb after 'if' and 'as long as' is positive.

Now look at these sentences:

If you don't do your homework, you can't watch the film.

Unless you do your homework, you can't watch the film.

Both of these sentences have the same meaning.

But notice that the verb after 'if' is negative

and the verb after 'unless' is positive.

Bye!