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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
IF/UNLESS
Grammar books say a sentence like "She will be angry if I do not visit" is correct but a sentence like "She will be angry unless I visit" is incorrect. Why?
Top answer
The reason that can be given for the incorrectness of the second sentence is as follows: both if -clause and unless -clause in your example are conditional; the unless -clause is roughly synonymous with a negative if- clause, but UNLESS PLACES GREATER EMPHASIS ON THE CONDITIONS AS AN EXCEPTION ('ONLY IF... NOT'). Therefore, in some contexts unless- clauses are impossible.
- The reason that can be given for the incorrectness of the second sentence is as follows: both if -clause and unless -clause in your example are conditional; the unless -clause is roughly synonymous with a negative if- clause, but UNLESS PLACES GREATER EMPHASIS ON THE CONDITIONS AS AN EXCEPTION ('ONLY IF...
- NOT').
- Therefore, in some contexts unless- clauses are impossible.
- Consider the following examples taken from some grammars: 'I'll be much happier if he doesn't come with us' and *I'll be much happier unless he comes with us ; If you hadn't studied hard , you'd have failed the exam and * Unless you studied hard , you'd have failed the exam.
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4 Answers
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The reason that can be given for the incorrectness of the second sentence is as follows:
both if-clause and unless-clause in your example are conditional; the unless-clause is roughly synonymous with a negative if-clause, but UNLESS PLACES GREATER EMPHASIS ON THE CONDITIONS AS AN EXCEPTION ('ONLY IF... NOT'). Therefore, in some contexts unless-clauses
both if-clause and unless-clause in your example are conditional; the unless-clause is roughly synonymous with a negative if-clause, but UNLESS PLACES GREATER EMPHASIS ON THE CONDITIONS AS AN EXCEPTION ('ONLY IF... NOT'). Therefore, in some contexts unless-clauses
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AnonymousGrammar books say a sentence like "She will be angry if I do not visit" is correct but a sentence like "She will be angry unless I visit" is incorrect. Why?I don't see anything grammatically wrong about "She will be angry unless I visit". I think the point is that the two sentences do not have the same meaning, not that one or the other
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To use "unless":
"He won't go to sleep unless he finishes his work."
That means if that job is not finished, he'll not sleep.
If someone doesn't do something in case of some another thing is not valid or doesn't happen, "unless" can be used.
"I will not answer your question unless someone did first."
"He won't go to sleep unless he finishes his work."
That means if that job is not finished, he'll not sleep.
If someone doesn't do something in case of some another thing is not valid or doesn't happen, "unless" can be used.
"I will not answer your question unless someone did first."
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Dear Gleb, CJ, and Nusdunda: Thank you for your helpful and prompt replies.
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