As long as là gì? Cấu trúc As long as chi tiết trong tiếng Anh

1. As long as là gì?

As long as là một liên từ phụ thuộc (subordinating conjunction) thường mang ý nghĩa “miễn là” hoặc “chỉ cần”, tuy nhiên cũng còn có một số ý nghĩa khác. 

E.g.: As long as we’re happy, that’s all that matters. (Miễn là chúng ta hạnh phúc, đó là tất cả những gì quan trọng.)

2. Explaining the usage of the As long as structure

2.1. As long as signifies “provided that” or “as long as”

E.g.: As long as you are still alive, you will definitely encounter the good things in life. (Chỉ cần bạn còn sống, bạn nhất định sẽ gặp được những điều tốt đẹp trong cuộc đời.)

2.2. While retaining the meaning of “as long as” in comparative sense

E.g.: This bridge is as long as the other bridge. (Cây cầu này cũng dài như cây cầu kia.)

2.3. As long as implies “during” or “within a period of time”

E.g.: The boy waited for his mother as long as she browsing stuff. (Cậu bé đứng đợi mẹ trong khoảng thời gian bà ấy lựa đồ.)

2.4. As long as used to denote an action lasting for a duration

E.g.: Your plan can be as long as a month. (Kế hoạch của bạn có thể dài đến một tháng.)

3. Differentiating As long as from similar terms

3.1. Unless

Unless mang ý nghĩa “trừ khi”, mang ý nghĩa giống như if not hoặc except if.

E.g.:

• Unless this event is free, I won’t go. (Trừ khi sự kiện này miễn phí, tôi sẽ không đi.)
• I won’t go unless this event is free. (Tôi sẽ không đi trừ khi sự kiện này miễn phí.)

3.2. As long as/ provided (that)/ providing (that)

These are phrases with meanings similar to As long as, all of which mean “if”, “provided that”, “in case”, or “on condition that”

E.g.:

• So long as a tiger stands still, it is invisible in the jungle. (Chỉ cần một con hổ đứng yên, nó sẽ như vô hình trong rừng rậm.)
• They may do whatever they like provided that it is within the law. (Họ có thể làm bất cứ điều gì họ thích với điều kiện nằm trong khuôn khổ của pháp luật.)
• You can get a senior citizen’s reduction providing you’ve got a railcard. (Ông bà có thể được giảm giá dành cho người cao tuổi nếu ông bà có thẻ thanh toán.)

3.3. As long as and as far as

Bạn chú ý sự khác biệt giữa 2 cụm từ này: As long as nghĩa là miễn là, chỉ cần, bao lâu. Còn As far as chỉ đến mức độ, địa điểm nào đó, hoặc đưa ra ý kiến, nhận định.

E.g.:

• As long as you are safe and sound, I will feel happy. (Miễn là em bình an, thì tôi sẽ cảm thấy hạnh phúc.)
• I’m willing to go as far as your place just to meet you. (Tôi sẵn sàng đến tận nơi em sống để được gặp em.)

3.4. As long as and as much as

Pay attention to the difference between these two phrases: As long as means if, provided that, or as long as. Whereas As far as means at most like, as much as possible.

E.g.:

• You can stay at my place as long as you want. (Bạn có thể ở lại chỗ tôi bao lâu tùy thích.)
• They want peace as much as we do. (Họ mong muốn hòa bình nhiều như chúng tôi muốn vậy.)

4. Exercise on the structure of As long as

4.1. Exercise

Bài tập 1: Choose the correct answers A, B, C and D for the following sentences

1. We can win the championship, ________ we avoid bad injuries.

• A. providing
• B. unless

1. I will leave now, ________ there is anything left to do now.

• A. unless
• B. as long as

1. We can hold the party in the garden ________ it doesn’t rain.

• A. provided
• B. unless

1. The public will be admitted to the galleries, ________ they make a donation.

• A. unless
• B. providing

1. You can keep the puppy ________ you promise to take care of it.

Select 2 correct answers

• A. as long as
• B. provided that
• C. unless

1. You can take my car ________ you drive carefully.

• A. as long as
• B. provided that
• C. either could be used here

1. I can’t help you ________ you tell me what is wrong.

• A. unless
• B. providing

1. You won’t pass the exam ________ you try a bit harder.

• A. unless
• B. provided that

1. He wouldn’t eat anything ________ he cooked it himself.

• A. providing
• B. unless

1. You can take this seat, ________ no one has reserved it.

• A. provided that
• B. providing
• C. as long as
• D. All are correct

1. My parents don’t care who I marry ________ I am happy.

• A. as long as
• B. unless

1. You can go out now ________ you finish your homework first.

• A. providing
• B. provided that
• C. as long as
• D. All are correct

Bài tập 2: Choose the correct answer

1. You can borrow my car unless / as long as you promise not to drive too fast.
2. I’m playing tennis tomorrow unless / providing it rains.
3. I’m playing tennis tomorrow unless / providing it doesn’t rain.
4. I don’t mind if you come home late unless / as long as you come in quietly.
5. I’m going now unless / provided you want me to stay.
6. I don’t watch TV unless / as long as I’ve got nothing else to do.
7. Children are allowed to use the swimming pool unless / provided they are with an adult.
8. Unless / Provided they are with an adult, children are not allowed to use the swimming pool.
9. We can sit here in the corner unless / as long as you’d rather sit over there by the window.
10. A: Our holiday cost a lot of money.

B: Did it? Well, it doesn’t matter provided that / as long as you enjoyed yourselves.

4.2. Answer

Bài tập 1:

1. A. providing
2. A. unless
3. A. provided
4. B. providing
5. A. as long as / B. provided that 
6. A. as long as
7. A. unless
8. A. unless
9. B. unless
10. B. providing / provided that / C. as long as
11. A. as long as
12. D. providing / provided that / as long as

1. as long as
2. unless
3. providing
4. as long as
5. unless
6. unless
7. provided
8. Unless
9. unless
10. as long as