0
Hela Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

IF VS UNLESS

Dear teachers,

Do you see any difference in meaning between:

I'll be back by the weekend, unless there is a train strike.
and
I'll be back by the weekend, if the train drivers aren't on strike.

Does unless suggest that the action is unlikely to happen,
whether if suggests that the action may happen ?

Many thanks,
Hela
  

Top answer

as you can see, unless=if ... not in some circumstances unless 1 : under any other circumstance than that : except on the condition that : if ... not <would have been destroyed unless a regiment ...

  • as you can see, unless=if ...
  • not in some circumstances unless 1 : under any other circumstance than that : except on the condition that : if ...
  • not <would have been destroyed unless a regiment ...
  • Chapman> <modern man is obsolete ...
  • S.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

3 Answers
0
as you can see, unless=if ... not in some circumstances

unless
1 : under any other circumstance than that : except on the condition
that : if ... not<would have been destroyed unless a regiment ... had
been sent -- J.J.Chapman> <modern man is obsolete ... unless he can
stop world wars -- Stuart Chase> <no person shall
0
I don't think that "unless" implies more or less certainty than saying if... not. I tried thinking of it with the negation on the unless side as well.

I'll come visit if you if I have enough money for gas to me, anyway, seems equally probable as I'll come visit you unless I don't have enough money for gas.

However
0
Hi guys,

I agree that the standard interpretation is similar or even identical in both cases. However, is there a logical difference?

I'll be back by the weekend, unless there is a train strike. This says clearly that a train strike will prevent my being back.

I'll be back by the weekend, if the train driv

Related Questions