0
Newguest Posted 19 years ago
Grammar
unless
Hi
Are these sentences correct?
1. You'd be happier unless you had such high expectations.
2. What time shall we leave for the theatre unless he turns up?
If there is something wrong with them, tell me what and why!?
Thank You
Are these sentences correct?
1. You'd be happier unless you had such high expectations.
2. What time shall we leave for the theatre unless he turns up?
If there is something wrong with them, tell me what and why!?
Thank You
Top answer
No, try: 1. You'd be happier if you didn't have such high expectations. 2.
- No, try: 1.
- You'd be happier if you didn't have such high expectations.
- 2.
- What time shall we leave for the theatre if he doesn't turn up.
- ) Here are some "unless sentences": Unless you change your eating habits, you're going to be obese by the time you're thirty!
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
12 Answers
0
No, try:
1. You'd be happier if you didn't have such high expectations.
2. What time shall we leave for the theatre if he doesn't turn up. (I think that's what you meant.)
Here are some "unless sentences":
Unless you change your eating habits, you're going to be obese by the time you're thirty!
Unless you have any objections, we'll go out for Thai food
1. You'd be happier if you didn't have such high expectations.
2. What time shall we leave for the theatre if he doesn't turn up. (I think that's what you meant.)
Here are some "unless sentences":
Unless you change your eating habits, you're going to be obese by the time you're thirty!
Unless you have any objections, we'll go out for Thai food
00
I don't think your versions are OK.
Try:
1. You'd be happier if you didn't have such high expectations.
2. What time shall we leave for the theatre if he doesn't turn up?
But you could say:
3. Unless he turns up on time, we're (we'll be) leaving for the theatre without him.
Do some sear
Try:
1. You'd be happier if you didn't have such high expectations.
2. What time shall we leave for the theatre if he doesn't turn up?
But you could say:
3. Unless he turns up on time, we're (we'll be) leaving for the theatre without him.
Do some sear
00
The similarity between my versions for 1 and 2 and GG's would be suspicious, if this weren't me!
00
But perhaps we can puzzle through why "unless you" = "if you don't" and works in some situations and not others. Does an "unless" clause need to come at the front of the sentence to sound natural?
00
Hi
This is what I found in my handbook:
UNLESS IS NOT ALWAYS AN ALTERNATIVE TO "IF NOT", ESPECIALLY WHEN THE NEGATIVE CONDITION AFTER "IF" IS CONTRARY TO KNOWN FACTS, AND IN MOST QUESTIONS.
Do you understand it, cause I don't. Maybe you could explain it to me?
This is what I found in my handbook:
UNLESS IS NOT ALWAYS AN ALTERNATIVE TO "IF NOT", ESPECIALLY WHEN THE NEGATIVE CONDITION AFTER "IF" IS CONTRARY TO KNOWN FACTS, AND IN MOST QUESTIONS.
Do you understand it, cause I don't. Maybe you could explain it to me?
00
ESPECIALLY WHEN THE NEGATIVE CONDITION AFTER "IF" IS CONTRARY TO KNOWN FACTS
1.
With if and negation:
You'd be happier if you did not have such high expectations.
(Good.)
With unless but not the negation:
You'd be happier unless you had such high expectations.
(Not good.)
you did not
1.
With if and negation:
You'd be happier if you did not have such high expectations.
(Good.)
With unless but not the negation:
You'd be happier unless you had such high expectations.
(Not good.)
you did not
00
0
Grammar Geek
No, try:
1. You'd be happier if you didn't have such high expectations.
2. What time shall we leave for the theatre if he doesn't turn up. (I think that's what you meant.)
Here are some "unless sentences":
Unless you change your eating habits, you're going to be obese by the time you're thirty!
Unless you have
00
You're going to be obese by the time you're thirty unless you change your eating habits. OK. We don't know for sure if you're going to change your eating habits.
We'll go out for Thai food tonight unless you have any objections. OK. We don't know for sure if you're going to have objections.
ARE THEY OK?
AND AG
We'll go out for Thai food tonight unless you have any objections. OK. We don't know for sure if you're going to have objections.
ARE THEY OK?
AND AG
00
Related Questions