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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

If not/unless

Two pairs of sentences: first ones should be incorrect and second correct. Could anybody explain me why?

a) My wife will be upset unless I get back tomorrow.
b) My wife will be upset if I don't get back tomorrow.

a) This is my friend Joe. I think you haven't met, have you?

b) This is my friend Joe. I don't think you've met, have you?
  

Top answer

Hi, They all seem OK to me. Clive

— Clive

  • Hi, They all seem OK to me.
  • Clive
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5 Answers
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Hi,



They all seem OK to me.



Clive
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hmm, supposedly they are not
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My explanations is below and hope that would be helpful for you.

The first pair: a) means I get back tommorow and my wife will be upset.
b) means I don't get back and my wife will be upset.
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In the first pair, the difference is subtle. The trick is that 'unless' means the same as 'if' when used between two clauses, except that 'unless' has a hidden or implicit 'not' meaning in either of the two clauses, usually the second. Theoretically, one can take the 'unless' sentence and rewrite it with 'if' in the place of 'unless' plus also make the word 'not' explicit in the second clause o
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My wife will be upset if I don't get back tomorrow.




This is my friend Joe. I think you haven't met, have you?

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