0
Inchoateknowledge Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

unless

Not unless you come to the party should you chip in for my husband's present.

Do you like this sentence?

Google does.

What does "not" hinge on? I am not sure it is should.

However,

You should not chip in, unless you come to the party.

The not comes at the front of the sentence (and the main clause has a subject operator inversion: should you.) IS it true?
  

Top answer

Inchoateknowledge Not unless you come to the party should you chip in for my husband's present. Do you like this sentence? no, it is hard to understand.

  • Inchoateknowledge Not unless you come to the party should you chip in for my husband's present.
  • Do you like this sentence?
  • no, it is hard to understand.
  • I like your new sentence.
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.

9 Answers
0
Inchoateknowledge
Not unless you come to the party should you chip in for my husband's present.

Do you like this sentence?

no, it is hard to understand.

I like your new sentence.
0
The new sentence is easier to understand, but it lacks the emphasis the inversion is used for. I like the first one.
0
Not unless you are coming to the party should you chip in for my husband's present.

If you are not planning to come to the party (then), you needn't chip in (now).
0
Hello Slava

Why are you 'Schetin'? You told me that you preferred 'Slava'. I'm glad to meet you again in this forum.
0
Hi Yoong Liat,

I should have signed my posts, but signing posts doesn't seem to be in the habit in this forum.

Nice to see you too,

Slava
0
Hi Jonathan,

I've been searching the forum for your comments.

Slava
0
Hello Slava

I notice only a couple of us have migrated to this forum. I miss Mike, Nohcra, Jenova and the other members.

I think 'onestopenglish' forum will be gone soon because I don't see new postings or new members. I don't know why it should come to such a sorry state.
0
no party/not at the party, no chipping inEmotion: smile

Related Questions