On condition that means only if: permission or agreement holds only if the condition is met. You may borrow the projector on condition that you return it tomorrow. It sounds stricter and more official than if: this is how agreements are worded. On the condition that works too.
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on (the) condition that + subject + verb
- You may borrow the projector on condition that you return it tomorrow.
- The artist agreed on the condition that her name appeared beside the photograph.
- They offered us the room on condition that we cleaned it afterwards.
What changed
First versionYou may borrow the projector on condition that you will return it tomorrow.
RevisionYou may borrow the projector on condition that you return it tomorrow.
The returning happens tomorrow, so will seems logical: on condition that you will return it. But after on condition that, as after if, the present tense talks about the future: you return it tomorrow.
Provided that and as long as also mean 'only if', just more softly: You can stay as long as you're quiet. On condition that sounds like a clause in a contract. Unless is the reverse, 'if not': You can't enter unless you have a ticket.
Your turn
You can use the room only if you leave it tidy: You can use it ___ you leave it tidy.
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on condition that — You can use the room only if you leave it tidy: that's a condition, so on condition that. In case means 'because something might happen' and sets no condition.
Let a sibling or colleague borrow something of yours, but with one condition. Use on condition that.
You can borrow my bike on condition that you lock it every time.
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