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Anonymous Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Except when

1.I don't drive except when it rains.
2.I don't drive except that it rains.
3. I don't drive unless it rains.
Are these sentences all right in grammar and no difference among them?
Thank you!
  

Top answer

1) and 3) mean essentially the same thing: that you drive only when it rains. This seems odd to me, but they are grammatically correct. I have a feeling that 2) should be: I don't drive but that it rains.

— Philip

  • 1) and 3) mean essentially the same thing: that you drive only when it rains.
  • This seems odd to me, but they are grammatically correct.
  • I have a feeling that 2) should be: I don't drive but that it rains.
  • This means that every time you start to drive it begins to rain.
  • The construction is rarely used in the US, but educated people understand it.
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2 Answers
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1) and 3) mean essentially the same thing: that you drive only when it rains. This seems odd to me, but they are grammatically correct.
I have a feeling that 2) should be: I don't drive but that it rains. This means that every time you start to drive it begins to rain. The construction is rarely used in the US, but educated people understand it. (Perhaps uneducated people do, to
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I don't drive but that it rains.

I do not see any rarity in this sentence.

I love to sing but that it hurts.

I like to dance but that I do not find any partners.

I love cooking but that I spoil the broth.

I appreciate you pointed out this sentence but it is not rare.
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