unless

unless
un|less
W1S1 [ʌnˈles, ən-] conj
[Date: 1400-1500; Origin: on less than 'on a lower condition than' (1400-1500)]
1.) used to say that something will happen or be true if something else does not happen or is not true
▪ Unless some extra money is found, the theatre will close.
▪ I think you should complain - unless, of course, you are happy with the way things are.
▪ He won't go to sleep unless you tell him a story.
▪ I can't leave her unless I know she's all right.
see usage note ↑except1
2.) not unless
only if
▪ 'Will you go with her?' 'Not unless she wants me to.'
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
WORD CHOICE: unless, if ... not, in case, or (else)
Use unless to say that something will happen or be true if something else does not happen or is not true : Unless they get protection, they will not testify.
!! Do not use the future tense after unless : I won't go unless you go (NOT unless you will go).
!! Do not say 'unless if' : Don't call him unless it's urgent (NOT unless if it's urgent).
Use if ... not when you know that something did not or will not happen : If he had not tripped, he would have won (=but he didn't win). |: I would go out if it wasn't raining (=but it is raining, so I am not going out).
Use in case when talking about something that is or should be done because something might happen : Take a sweater in case you get cold (NOT unless you get cold).
Use or or or else to say what bad thing will definitely happen if something else does not happen : You'd better go, or else you'll miss the train (NOT unless you miss the train).
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?
Synonyms:
, ,


Look at other dictionaries:

  • Unless — Un*less , conj. [Formerly, onles, onlesse, onlesse that, that is, in less, in a less case. See {On}, and {Less}.] Upon any less condition than (the fact or thing stated in the sentence or clause which follows); if not; supposing that not; if it… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • unless — [un les′] conj. [ME onlesse, earlier on lesse that, in lesse that, at less than, for less] in any case other than that; except that; except if [unless it rains, the game will be played] prep. except; save [nothing can help him, unless a miracle] …   English World dictionary

  • unless — preposition except, excepting, however, precluding, save, without Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • unless — mid 15c., earlier onlesse, from on lesse (than) on a less condition (than), the first syllable originally on, but the negative connotation and the lack of stress changed it to un …   Etymology dictionary

  • unless — ► CONJUNCTION ▪ except when; if not. ORIGIN from ON(Cf. ↑on) or IN(Cf. ↑in) + LESS(Cf. ↑less) …   English terms dictionary

  • unless — conjunction used when one thing will only happen or be true as long as another thing happens or is true: Milk quickly turns sour unless it s refrigerated. | Unless some extra money is found, the theatre will close. USAGE NOTE: UNLESS WORD CHOICE …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • unless — un|less [ ən les ] conjunction *** used for saying that if something does not happen, something else will happen or be true as a result: I can t help you unless you tell me what s wrong. The car should be in the garage unless someone s moved it.… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • unless */*/*/ — UK [ənˈles] / US conjunction used for saying that if something does not happen, something else will happen or be true as a result I can t help you unless you tell me what s wrong. The car should be in the garage unless someone s moved it. Unless… …   English dictionary

  • Unless — infobox Book | name = Unless title orig = translator = author = Carol Shields cover artist = country = Canada language = English series = genre = Novel publisher = Harper Collins release date = April 30, 2002 media type = Print (Hardback… …   Wikipedia

  • unless — [[t]ʌnle̱s[/t]] ♦♦ CONJ SUBORD You use unless to introduce the only circumstances in which an event you are mentioning will not take place or in which a statement you are making is not true. Unless you are trying to lose weight to please yourself …   English dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”