📘 DECK 2 — IF / THEN LANGUAGE (INSTANT RECOGNITION)

Which words ALWAYS signal the trigger (sufficient condition)?

If, each, every, any, all, whenever, as long as.

Which words ALWAYS signal the result (necessary condition)?

Only, must, require, required, essential, depend on, is essential, is required.

What is the golden rule for the word “only”?

“Only” ALWAYS points to the necessary condition.

How do you translate “A unless B”?

If not B, then A.

What LSAT words function the same as “unless”?

Except, without, otherwise.

How do you translate “A except B”?

If not B, then A.

How do you translate “A otherwise”?

If not the stated condition, then A.

What is the contrapositive of “If A then B”?

If not B, then not A.

What is the negation of “If A then B”?

A AND not B.

Why is negation NOT the same as the contrapositive?

Negation contradicts the rule; the contrapositive preserves it.

What does “as long as” mean in conditional logic?

It signals the trigger (sufficient condition).

What does “had” sometimes signal on the LSAT?

A past-tense conditional or hypothetical relationship.

What do “always” and “invariably” signal?

Absolute conditional language.

What do “must be” and “depend on” indicate?

Necessary condition language.