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Allthewayanime Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Unless + negation
Is it possible to use a negative verb right after 'unless' , for example:
e.g.UNLESS he doesn't do his homework, he will ......
e.g.UNLESS he doesn't do his homework, he will ......
Top answer
Hi, Why not? It should be fine to use it like this unless you're writing it in the wrong context. Fine?
- Hi, Why not?
- It should be fine to use it like this unless you're writing it in the wrong context.
- Fine?
- Regards
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7 Answers
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Hi,
Why not?
It should be fine to use it like thisunlessyou're writing it in the wrong context. Fine?
Why not?
It should be fine to use it like thisunlessyou're writing it in the wrong context. Fine? 
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Think carefully.."unless he doesn't do his homework, he will.."..means unless he does not do his homework...means if he does...
So this only makes sense if you wish to say ie "unless he does not do his homework, he is free to play computer games for 2 hours in the evening" or something like that. But I would prefer to cut the chatterbox and simply say: "he is allowed to play computer game
So this only makes sense if you wish to say ie "unless he does not do his homework, he is free to play computer games for 2 hours in the evening" or something like that. But I would prefer to cut the chatterbox and simply say: "he is allowed to play computer game
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Unless -can be used in a couple of ways.
1) You are not going out tonight unless you have finished you home work. Here, "unless" denotes a condition. It can be used in either postive or negative context.
This, looking at it differently, means: until you have finished all you home work, don't expect to go out.
The context dictates how and which word is used to obtain th
1) You are not going out tonight unless you have finished you home work. Here, "unless" denotes a condition. It can be used in either postive or negative context.
This, looking at it differently, means: until you have finished all you home work, don't expect to go out.
The context dictates how and which word is used to obtain th
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So let me see if I got it:
I can use the negative form after unless(with the meaning of 'if not'), but the meaning of the sentence introduced by unless will be positive. Coul someone confirm it,please?
e.g. Unless he doesn't do his homework, he's free to play computer games.
It means that if he does his homework , he will be free to play....
I can use the negative form after unless(with the meaning of 'if not'), but the meaning of the sentence introduced by unless will be positive. Coul someone confirm it,please?
e.g. Unless he doesn't do his homework, he's free to play computer games.
It means that if he does his homework , he will be free to play....
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allthewayanimeSo let me see if I got it: I can use the negative form after unless(with the meaning of 'if not'), but the meaning of the sentence introduced by unless will be positive. Coul someone confirm it,please? e.g. Unless he doesn't do his homework, he's free to play computer games. It means that if he does his homework , he w
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Correct.
But I do wish to mention that the *** of written English, William Strunk, points out that for stylistic purposes you should always put statements in positive form, that is you should not waver, and thus you should only use "not" as a means of denial or in antithesis, never as a means of evasion. Hence it is better to say: ".. if he does his homework , he will be free to play.."
But I do wish to mention that the *** of written English, William Strunk, points out that for stylistic purposes you should always put statements in positive form, that is you should not waver, and thus you should only use "not" as a means of denial or in antithesis, never as a means of evasion. Hence it is better to say: ".. if he does his homework , he will be free to play.."
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