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Anonymous Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Why is this ungrammatical?

Hi teachers

Here is the sentence below:

I’ll be really upset unless I pass the exam.

This one is ungrammatical according to a famous grammarian. But I don't understand why?
  

Top answer

Anonymous But I don't understand why? why . People say things like this all the time.

— CalifJim

  • Anonymous But I don't understand why?
  • why .
  • People say things like this all the time.
  • They mean I'll be really upset if I don't pass the exam .
  • I'd say that it's grammatical, but it's a bit strange in the way that it expresses the intended meaning.
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3 Answers
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AnonymousBut I don't understand why? why.
People say things like this all the time. They mean I'll be really upset if I don't pass the exam. I'd say that it's grammatical, but it's a bit strange in the way that it expresses the intended meaning.

As written, it seems to mean that if I pass
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According to Practical English Usage by MICHAEL SWAN.

Unless means "except if". Unless is not used when the meaning is more like "because . . . not". Compare:

My wife will be angry if I'm not home by 7.00 (NOT My wife will be angry unless I get home by 7.00. - She will be angry because I'm not home.)
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I've understood it. Thank you for your answers.
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