I have been told that ‘unless’ can’t be used in hypothetical clauses as follows: Unless Ann had studied hard, she would have failed the exam. My question is, why is using ‘unless’ in the conditional clause above unacceptable? Answer You’re correct, that sentence ?Unless Ann had studied hard, she would have failed the exam. is … Read more
1(Q) – Unless he finds a job soon, his family will starve. 1(A) – If he doesn’t find a job soon, his family will starve. 2(Q) – Unless she leaves now, she will miss the train. 2(A) – If she leaves now, she will not miss the train. 3(Q) – Unless you hurry, we will … Read more
unless (conj.) mid-15c., earlier onlesse, from (not) on lesse (than) "(not) on a less compelling condition (than);" see less. The first syllable originally on, but the negative connotation and the lack of stress changed it to un-. "Except could once be used as a synonym for unless, but the words have now drawn entirely apart" … Read more
I was just wondering what does it mean when people use of the word “unless” at the end of the sentence. As far as I know, I only hear people say something like “Unless you work hard, you will fail.” They usually use the word “unless” at the beginning of the sentence, or otherwise, use … Read more
Why can’t the conditional I would go to bed if I wasn’t waiting for a phone call be transformed thus I would go to bed unless I was/wasn’t waiting for a phone call A student asked me why this second version is wrong and I was stumped and unable to give a reasonable answer. Answer … Read more
OED (3rd edn, 2017): [†A.] 1. Forming a conjunctional phrase introducing a case in which an exception to a preceding negative statement (expressed or implied) will or may exist: (not) on a less or lower condition, requirement, etc., than (what is specified). Obs[olete]. Let’s contemplate: Exercise, unless you spurn healthfulness. that ought to mean: Exercise, … Read more
I have a sentence and need to transform it to begin with word unless. The sentence is Study hard now or you will regret it later. I am not able to begin this using Unless. My attempts are Unless you don’t study hard, you will regret it Unless you don’t study hard now, you won’t … Read more
