UNLESS and NEGATIVE CONDITIONALS

Question 1

UNLESS [1]

Answer 1

We often use UNLESS to express a negative condition. It means ‘except if’ and it is similar to IF … NOT or ONLY IF.

UNLESS you’ve got a doctor’s note to say you’ve passed the medical, they won’t allow you to go on the activity holiday. ( = IF you don’t have a doctor’s note, they won’t allow you to go).

I wouldn’t go there unless I had to ( = I would go there ONLY IF I had to).

Question 2

UNLESS [2]

Answer 2

UNLESS is NOT ALWAYS alternative to if not, especially when the negative condition after IF is contrary to known facts.

You’d be happier UNLESS you had such high expectations = WRONG (an unreal situation);

You’d be happier IF you DIDN’T HAVE such high expectations;

What time shall we leave for the theatre UNLESS he turns up? = WRONG (a question).

Question 3

UNLESS [3]

Answer 3

We can use UNLESS with NOT.

The college will offer tou a place, UNLESS your school-leaving grade IS NOT as predicted. ( = They’ll offer you a place if your grade IS as predicted.)

‘Are they going to sell?’ ‘NOT UNLESS they receive $1 million’ ( = They WON’T sell IF they DON’T receive $1 million).