unless

Question

ex. I'll be angry unless I'm invited.Is the sentence above correct?In comparison to this, the following sentence is marked with an asterisk indicating the ungrammaticality.   ex. I'll be much happier unless he comes with us. (*)What difference can be made between them?

Clive · Accepted Answer

ex. I'll be angry unless I'm invited.

Is the sentence above correct? Yes
In comparison to this, the following sentence is marked with an asterisk indicating the ungrammaticality.

ex. I'll be much happier unless he comes with us. (*) I wouldn't call this incorrect, but it is hard to find its meaning, and to think of a context in which it would make sense to say this.

Clive

AlpheccaStars · Answer

cho7712ex. I'll be much happier unless he comes with us. (*)

This sentence is grammatical.
I'll be happy unless he comes with us.

And so is this:
I'll be much happier if he comes with us.

"unless" doesn't work with the comparative, but "if" can be used.

GPY · Answer

I think that the problem with the second one is that the "default state" is generally perceived as being the absence of the "unless" clause. So, it is odd to say that you are "happier" in the default state. Happier than what?

Clive · Answer

Happier than was mentioned in some previous sentence.

GPY · Answer

I agree that a context could be contrived.

Cho7712 · Answer

Thank you all for the answers.

As to the first sentence, I can't detect any difference in compared to the following sentence.
ex. I'll be amazed if Christie doesn't win.
(This sentence is presented as the example of this grammar suggestion: we use if...not but not unless: when we say in the main clause that an event or action in the if-clause is unexpected.)

ex. a. I'll be angry unless I'm invited.
b. I'll be amazed unless Christie wins.

If a is correct, so is b.
But, the grammar suggestion above prevents this. It seems to force to use if....not in b.
It must be the matter of the context. I just don't know when they can be used with what context. Would you suggest the possible context?

CalifJim · Answer

cho7712 a. I'll be angry unless I'm invited. b. I'll be amazed unless Christie wins.

See http://www.onestopenglish.com/support/ask-the-experts/grammar-questions/grammar-unless-and-if/146350.article

It might help. From the explanation there,

I'll be angry unless I'm invited can be paraphrased as "My being invited will prevent my being angry", which seems coherent enough. Your anger will be calmed down if you are invited.
I'll be amazed unless Christie wins can be paraphrased as "Christie's winning will prevent my being amazed", which is strange. It sounds like you're on your way to being amazed, but if Christie wins, the process will stop, and you won't be amazed after all.

CJ

Cho7712 · Answer

Thank you for the answer.
It is too much for me to understand how unless works in real conditionals as distinguishing from 'if...not'.
I should take my time enough to fully understand it.

unless

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