0
Contraposition Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

not unless

What does this sentence mean?

I won't tell them-not unless you say I can.
  

Top answer

If you give permission, I will (or might) tell them. Otherwise, I will not tell them.

— AlpheccaStars

  • If you give permission, I will (or might) tell them.
  • Otherwise, I will not tell them.
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
If you give permission, I will (or might) tell them. Otherwise, I will not tell them.
0
0
In informal speech/writing, we sometimes use 'not unless' when 'unless' on its own is more logical. We can perhaps take the 'not' as a reinforcement of the negative clause preceding it. I recommend that you forget the 'not' in examinations.
0
0
contrapositionWhat does this sentence mean?
I won't tell them — not unless you say I can.
It means

I won't tell them unless you say I can.

Parse it like this:

I won't tell them — (that is,) not (tell them) unless you say I can.

CJ
0

Related Questions