unless/as long as

Question

Hello,1. Camping is fun   as long as  you don't forget the torch and the can-opener.2 .Camping is fun  unless  you don't forget the torch and the can-opener.Which one is correct?Could anybody explain the difference between the twos?

Serge Ant · Accepted Answer

hanuman_2000 Hello,

1. Camping is fun as long as you don't forget the torch and the can-opener.

2 .Camping is fun unless you don't forget the torch and the can-opener.

Which one is correct?

Could anybody explain the difference between the twos?

The first sentence is good.

The second one sounds very strange. I believe camping will be fun. But having the torch and the can-opener (you don't forget it) is an exceptional situation that can make our camping no so fun .

We can use as long as to say that one thing is true only if another thing is true.

Fact (A): "Our camping is fun".
Fact (B): "we have (didn't forget) the torch and the can-opener"

The fact (A) is true as long as the fact (B) is true = IF B THEN A

And vice versa

We can use unless to say than something is true only in particular circumstances.

The fact (A) is true unless (except if) the fact (B) is true = IF B THEN NOT(A)

If we change the second sentence:

2 .Camping is fun unless you forget the torch and the can-opener.

it will be better. It means: I believe camping will be fun. But if you do forget the necessery things it won't be fun.

PS: but I'm not native speaker. So, experts, correct me if I'm wrong.

Diamondrg · Answer

Hanuman_2000
Hello,

1. Camping is fun as long as you don't forget the torch and the can-opener.

2 .Camping is fun unless you don't forget the torch and the can-opener.

Which one is correct?

Could anybody explain the difference between the twos?

The 2nd sentence is wrong because it means "Camping is fun if you forget the torch and the can-opener."

"Camping is fun unless you forget the torch and the can-opener." sounds OK. but still it is best to wait for a native to explain whether there is any difference in meaning compared to "as long as" version.

MrPedantic · Answer

1. Camping is fun as long as you don't forget X.

2. Camping is fun unless you forget X.

The only difference I can see is that #1 seems more likely to be used humorously, i.e. with a list of items chosen for humorous effect:

1a. Camping is fun as long as you don't forget the toilet paper.

#2 on the other hand seems more likely to be serious, and to be used where you want to specify that X and Y are vital:

2a. Camping is fun unless you forget to take sufficient warm clothing.

But I may be wrong.

MrP

CalifJim · Answer

But the second one was "... unless you don't forget ...".

MrPedantic · Answer

CalifJimBut the second one was "... unless you don't forget ...".

That's true.

I think I may have been answering my own question...

MrP

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