On the condition that

USAGE SUMMARY

"On the condition that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in formal writing to introduce a clause that states a requirement that needs to be fulfilled in order for something else to happen. For example, "The company agreed to provide the services we requested, on the condition that we pay 50% of the cost up front."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The former is focused on external appearance; the latter is focused on the condition that creates the external appearance.

Huffington Post

He spoke on the condition that he not be named.

The New York Times

But only on the condition that you stay in school.

The New York Times

Jill agrees on the condition that she remain Joe's caretaker.

The New York Times

Can I be admitted on the condition that I complete the pre-requisites?

Cornell University

Aida offers her heart, but on the condition that he finds her grandmother's lost jewels.

Columbia University

He spoke on the condition that his name not be published.

The New York Times

She spoke to a reporter on the condition that her name not be used.

The New York Times

She finally agreed to go out with him on the condition that he learn to knit.

The New York Times

The leaders spoke on the condition that they would not be named.

The New York Times

Presumably that agreement was extracted on the condition that Ismail Khan be removed as governor.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on the condition that", ensure the condition is clearly stated and directly relevant to the action or agreement it governs.

Common error

Avoid vague or ambiguous conditions when using "on the condition that". Be specific about what needs to be fulfilled to prevent misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the condition that" functions as a subordinating conjunction, introducing a dependent clause that expresses a necessary requirement for the main clause to occur. Ludwig AI confirms this is a grammatically sound phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

18%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on the condition that" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to express a prerequisite or contingency. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in formal and informal contexts. It is very common across various domains, including news, academia, and formal business settings. When writing, clarity is key, so avoid vague conditions and state your requirements as clearly as possible. Consider alternatives like "provided that" or "only if" /s/only+if for conciseness or emphasis, depending on your desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provided that

This alternative is a more concise synonym emphasizing the provision or supply of a condition.

only if

This is a shorter and more direct way of stating the necessary condition.

assuming that

This suggests the agreement or action is based on a specific assumption being true.

dependent on

This alternative focuses on the dependency of one thing on another.

subject to the provision that

This is a more formal and legalistic way of expressing the same condition.

contingent upon

This implies that the outcome depends entirely on the fulfillment of the stated condition.

given that

Similar to "assuming that", this indicates something is happening because something else is pre-existing.

as long as

This indicates a duration for which the condition must be met.

if and only if

This alternative stresses the mutual dependence of two events.

with the understanding that

This emphasizes a mutual agreement or implicit understanding of the condition.

FAQs

How do I use "on the condition that" in a sentence?

Use "on the condition that" to introduce a requirement that must be met for something else to happen. For instance, "The university will fund the research, "on the condition that" the results are published in a peer-reviewed journal."

What are some alternatives to "on the condition that"?

You can use alternatives like "provided that", "assuming that", or "only if" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "on the condition that" formal or informal?

"On the condition that" is generally considered a formal phrase suitable for professional writing, legal documents, and academic papers. More informal alternatives exist for casual conversation.

How does "on the condition that" differ from "if"?

While both introduce conditional clauses, "on the condition that" is more emphatic and specific. "If" simply states a condition, whereas "on the condition that" highlights the requirement as a prerequisite. Consider "I will go to the party if I have time" versus "I will go to the party "on the condition that" I finish my work".