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Marold Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Unless you can't?

I am a little bemused by this sentence that was uttered by a native from this forum:

"Fine, unless you can't tolerate the preposition at the end of the sentence."

=> As far as I know, unless is negative, so how come there are 2 negations in the sentence?


I am most likely to be mistaken, nevertheless, I'd like to be enlightened about the grammar structure.

Thank you in advance.
  

Top answer

It's OK. Fine, if you tolerate the preposition at the end of the sentence . has the same meaning.

— Nugso

  • It's OK.
  • Fine, if you tolerate the preposition at the end of the sentence .
  • has the same meaning.
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25 Answers
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It's OK. Fine, if you tolerate the preposition at the end of the sentence. has the same meaning.
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Unless means except if / except on the condition that and can introduce a negative or positive statement.

It's fine, unless you can't tolerate the preposition at the end of the sentence.
It's not fine, unless you can tolerate the preposition at the end of a sentence.

Incidentally, for anyone who might be curious, it's OK to end a sent
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Hello Aspara Gus. Is not it like;

if not you can't tolerate = if you can tolerate. It sure can look weird(or might be wrong), but somehow I think it is correct.
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Nugsoif not you can't tolerate = if you can tolerate. It sure can look weird(or might be wrong), but somehow I think it is correct.
Is this a question? I'm afraid I don't understand.
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Either you did not see the Is not it like part or I don't know how to express myself in English( I guess it's the second one especially since you're a native English speaker). So let me ask again;

if not you can't tolerate = if you can tolerate. It sure can look weird(or might be wrong), but somehow I think it is correct. Am I right?
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if not you can't tolerate


This is ungrammatical.
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Again I did not express myself well. Emotion: sad I mean, just like in mathematics, minus times minus equals a plus so I thought it would work in
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Oh, now I understand. I try at all costs not to associate grammar with math. Emotion: big smile

if not you can't tolerate = if you can
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MaroldAs far as I know, unless is negative, so how come there are 2 negations in the sentence?
If unless is a negative, then so are except, but, however, and nevertheless.

None of these count as negatives for the purpose of the frequently quoted "forbidden double negative" grammar rule of English, if that's what concerns you, even
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MaroldAs far as I know, unless is negative
I see where you're coming from.
In some dictionaries, unless is defined as "if not", which I don't think is a logical interpretation.
MaroldFine, unless you can't tolerate the preposition at the end of the sentence.
Your quote does not mean: "Fine, if you can tolerate the prepos
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