À condition que (On Condition That)
on condition that pour poser des exigences claires et formelles, nécessaires à la réalisation d'un accord ou d'une action. Pense à un contrat : conditions strictes, accord formel, exigence claire.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
A formal way to say 'only if' that sets a strict requirement for something to happen.
- Use it to replace 'if' when you want to sound formal or legal. Example: 'I will go on condition that you pay.'
- Do not use 'will' immediately after the phrase. Example: 'On condition that he arrives (not will arrive).'
- It connects two clauses: the result and the mandatory requirement.
Overview
Tu peux l'utiliser, mais ne change pas mon profil !. En anglais formel, nous utilisons on condition that pour cela. C'est comme un contrat verbal.if. Vous l'utilisez quand la règle est très stricte. Pensez-y comme à un patron qui parle à un employé.if.
Formation Pattern
on condition that au milieu.
I will go to the party (résultat) on condition that (connecteur) you drive me home (règle).
you drive, pas you will drive. C'est très important ! Même si la fête est demain, la règle utilise le présent simple. C'est exactement comme le premier conditionnel. Proposition principale + on condition that + Sujet + Présent Simple. Vous pouvez aussi mettre la condition au début. On condition that you pay, I will help you. Mais la mettre au milieu est plus courant. C'est plus fluide dans une conversation. N'oubliez pas le mot that. Certaines personnes l'omettent, mais c'est mieux avec. C'est comme la colle qui maintient la phrase ensemble. Sans la colle, votre 'contrat' pourrait s'effondrer !
Clause Structure for 'On Condition That'
| Main Clause (Result) | Conjunction | Conditional Clause (Requirement) | Tense Used |
|---|---|---|---|
|
I will help you
|
on condition that
|
you help me.
|
Present Simple
|
|
They may enter
|
on condition that
|
they have a ticket.
|
Present Simple
|
|
He was released
|
on condition that
|
he stayed home.
|
Past Simple
|
|
The deal is valid
|
on condition that
|
you sign now.
|
Present Simple
|
|
We shall proceed
|
on condition that
|
it is safe.
|
Present Simple
|
Meanings
A subordinating conjunction used to introduce a condition that must be fulfilled before the main action can take place. It implies a formal agreement or a non-negotiable stipulation.
Legal/Contractual Stipulation
Used in formal documents to outline mandatory requirements.
“The loan is granted on condition that the property is insured.”
“The defendant was released on condition that he surrender his passport.”
Conditional Permission
Giving someone permission to do something, but only if they follow a specific rule.
“You can borrow the car on condition that you fill the tank.”
“They may stay here on condition that they keep the noise down.”
Negotiation
Used during bargaining to set a price or a trade-off.
“We will sign the deal on condition that the price is reduced by 10%.”
“I'll take the job on condition that I can work from home twice a week.”
Reference Table
| Expression | Ton | Utilisation | Exemple |
|---|---|---|---|
|
if
|
Décontracté
|
Conditions générales
|
If you go, I go.
|
|
on condition that
|
Formel
|
Stipulations strictes
|
I'll go, on condition that you pay.
|
|
as long as
|
Neutre
|
Temps/Durée
|
Stay as long as you want.
|
|
provided that
|
Formel
|
Exigences officielles
|
Provided that you arrive on time.
|
|
supposing that
|
Neutre
|
Imaginaire/Théorique
|
Supposing that you won the lottery?
|
|
unless
|
Neutre
|
Sauf si
|
I won't go unless you pay.
|
Spectre de formalité
I shall assist you on condition that I am remunerated. (Financial agreement)
I will help you on condition that you pay me. (Financial agreement)
I'll help you if you pay me. (Financial agreement)
I'm in, but only if you cough up the cash. (Financial agreement)
Quand utiliser 'On Condition That'
Affaires
- Contract Job Offer
- Promotion Brand Deal
Légal
- Prisoner Release
- Permit Permission
Personnel
- Car Borrowing
- Password Sharing
Conditions Informelles vs. Formelles
Choisir la Bonne Expression
Est-ce un accord sérieux ?
Y a-t-il une règle stricte ?
Catégories d'Utilisation
Écrit
- • Emploi
- • Prêts
- • Accords
Oral
- • Promesses sérieuses
- • Règles strictes
- • Accords parentaux
Exemples par niveau
I will go if you go.
I will go if you go.
If it rains, we stay home.
If it rains, we stay home.
I am happy if you are happy.
I am happy if you are happy.
If you eat, you feel better.
If you eat, you feel better.
I will help you only if you ask.
I will help you only if you ask.
You can play only if you finish your work.
You can play only if you finish your work.
We can go out only if the sun shines.
We can go out only if the sun shines.
I will buy it only if it is cheap.
I will buy it only if it is cheap.
You can borrow my bike provided that you are careful.
You can borrow my bike provided that you are careful.
I'll come to the party as long as there is food.
I'll come to the party as long as there is food.
They will sign the contract provided that the date is correct.
They will sign the contract provided that the date is correct.
You can stay here as long as you pay rent.
You can stay here as long as you pay rent.
The grant is awarded on condition that the research is published.
The grant is awarded on condition that the research is published.
He was granted bail on condition that he report to the police daily.
He was granted bail on condition that he report to the police daily.
I will accept the promotion on condition that my salary increases.
I will accept the promotion on condition that my salary increases.
The museum is free on condition that you book in advance.
The museum is free on condition that you book in advance.
The merger will proceed on condition that all regulatory hurdles are cleared.
The merger will proceed on condition that all regulatory hurdles are cleared.
She agreed to the interview on condition that no personal questions be asked.
She agreed to the interview on condition that no personal questions be asked.
The ceasefire was signed on condition that all troops withdraw immediately.
The ceasefire was signed on condition that all troops withdraw immediately.
Access to the archives is granted on condition that no copies are made.
Access to the archives is granted on condition that no copies are made.
The estate was bequeathed on condition that the heir reside there for six months annually.
The estate was bequeathed on condition that the heir reside there for six months annually.
He offered his resignation on condition that his team be spared from the layoffs.
He offered his resignation on condition that his team be spared from the layoffs.
The treaty remains in effect on condition that neither party engage in nuclear testing.
The treaty remains in effect on condition that neither party engage in nuclear testing.
The witness testified on condition that her anonymity be strictly preserved.
The witness testified on condition that her anonymity be strictly preserved.
Facile à confondre
Learners use 'in case' when they mean 'on condition that'.
Both are strong conditionals, but 'unless' means 'if not'.
They are almost identical in meaning.
Erreurs courantes
I go if you will go.
I will go if you go.
I help you only if you will help me.
I will help you only if you help me.
You can stay on condition you are quiet.
You can stay on condition that you are quiet.
On condition that he will pay, we sign.
On condition that he pays, we sign.
Structures de phrases
I will ___ on condition that you ___.
The agreement was signed on condition that ___.
Permission is granted on condition that ___.
On condition that ___, I would ___.
Real World Usage
We offer you the role on condition that you provide two references.
The suspect was released on condition that he stay 500 meters away from the victim.
You may use this software on condition that you do not redistribute it.
You can have a cookie on condition that you eat your vegetables first.
The nations agreed to lower tariffs on condition that labor laws were improved.
The funding is provided on condition that a report is submitted quarterly.
Le mode "Chef"
Le piège de "will"
Des limites polies
Smart Tips
Replace 'if' with 'on condition that' to make your requirements sound more professional and firm.
Check the clause immediately after 'on condition that'. If it has 'will', delete it!
Use 'provided that' instead of 'on condition that'. It's just as formal but feels slightly more cooperative.
Ensure both the result and the condition are in the past tense for consistency.
Prononciation
Linking 'that'
The word 'that' is often reduced to a schwa /ðət/ and linked to 'condition'.
Stress on 'Condition'
The primary stress is on the second syllable of 'con-DI-tion'.
Rising-Falling
On condition that you PAY ↗, I will GO ↘.
Emphasizes the requirement before the result.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Remember the 'C' in Condition stands for 'Contract'—use it when the deal is serious.
Association visuelle
Imagine a large, wax-sealed scroll (a contract). On the scroll, the word 'IF' is crossed out and replaced with 'ON CONDITION THAT' in gold letters.
Rhyme
If the deal is formal and the rule is flat, use the phrase 'on condition that'.
Story
A king tells a knight he can marry the princess, but only if he slays a dragon. The king doesn't say 'if'; he says 'on condition that' because it's a royal decree and a binding contract.
Word Web
Défi
Write three formal sentences about your dream job using 'on condition that' (e.g., salary, hours, location).
Notes culturelles
British speakers often use 'on condition that' to be polite but firm, avoiding direct confrontation while setting clear boundaries.
In the US, this phrase is ubiquitous in contracts (Terms of Service, employment agreements) to protect parties legally.
Used globally in academia for grants and scholarships to ensure research standards are met.
The word 'condition' comes from the Latin 'condicio', meaning 'agreement' or 'stipulation'.
Amorces de conversation
Would you move to another country on condition that you never returned home?
Would you take a high-paying job on condition that you worked 80 hours a week?
Would you share your secrets on condition that you became famous?
Can you borrow money from a friend on condition that you pay interest?
Sujets d'écriture
Erreurs courantes
Test Yourself
The boss will give him a bonus on condition that he ___ the project today.
Choose the grammatically correct sentence:
Find and fix the mistake:
You can use my Netflix on condition that you will not change the settings.
Score: /3
Exercices pratiques
8 exercisesI will lend you my car on condition that you ___ (drive) carefully.
Choose the best option for a business contract.
Find and fix the mistake:
He was allowed to go on condition that he will return by ten.
I will only sign if you increase the salary.
Match the register to the sentence.
You can use 'on condition that' to talk about hypothetical/imaginary situations like 'If I were a cat'.
Boss: 'You can take Friday off.' Employee: 'Really? Thank you!' Boss: '___ you finish the report by Thursday.'
Select the group of synonyms.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesThey offered me the job ___ I moved to London.
I will go to the party on condition that you will come with me.
phone / discount / on condition that / buy / I / will / give / you / me / a
Er stimmte zu zu helfen, unter der Bedingung, dass wir ihn bezahlten.
Which of these sounds most professional?
Match the formal condition phrases:
The player joins the team on condition that he ___ healthy.
The city permits the protest on condition that it will remain peaceful.
sample / review / on condition that / send / we / will / post / you / a
Which sentence is correct?
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
Yes, you can. For example: 'On condition that you pay for the parts, I will fix your bike.' It places more emphasis on the requirement.
Yes, both 'on condition that' and 'on the condition that' are acceptable and mean the same thing. The version without 'the' is slightly more common in legal writing.
They are very similar. 'On condition that' is slightly more formal and emphasizes a strict 'stipulation.' 'Provided that' is common in both formal and neutral English.
In English, we don't use the future tense in subordinate clauses of time or condition. We use the present simple to represent the future in these cases.
It might sound a bit too formal or even 'bossy' in a casual text. Use 'if' or 'as long as' with friends unless you are joking.
Yes. 'He agreed to the deal on condition that they paid him upfront.' Both clauses move into the past.
If the 'on condition that' clause comes first, use a comma. If it comes second, you usually don't need one.
It is used in both! It is a standard feature of formal English worldwide.
Scaffolded Practice
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Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
a condición de que
Spanish requires the subjunctive mood; English uses the indicative.
à condition que
French requires the subjunctive mood.
unter der Bedingung, dass
German requires subordinate clause word order (verb at the end).
...という条件で (...to iu jouken de)
Japanese uses a noun-modifying structure rather than a conjunction.
بشرط أن (bi-shart an)
Arabic often uses the present subjunctive (mansub) after 'an'.
在...条件下 (zài... tiáojiàn xià)
Chinese uses a prepositional phrase structure rather than a clause connector.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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