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🚫 Compendium
Grammar
EN
English — unless
The linking word unless introduces a negative condition. It has the same meaning as if… not: the result happens only when the other thing does not.
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How it works
✓ Rule
Use unless to give the only condition that changes the outcome; it means if… not. So I won't go unless you come is the same as I won't go if you don't come. Keep the verb in the unless-clause in the present tense, even about the future: Unless it rains, we'll stay inside.
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Examples
| Sentence with unless | Same meaning with if… not | Verb after unless (present) |
|---|---|---|
| I won't go unless you come. | I won't go if you don't come. | come |
| Unless it rains, we'll stay inside. | If it doesn't rain, we'll stay inside. | rains |
| You'll fail unless you study. | You'll fail if you don't study. | study |
| She won't call unless it's urgent. | She won't call if it isn't urgent. | is |
| Don't open the door unless I tell you. | Don't open the door if I don't tell you. | tell |
| We can't start unless everyone arrives. | We can't start if not everyone arrives. | arrives |
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Good to know
⚠ Note
Don't use will in the unless-clause: say unless you come, not unless you will come. And don't add a second negative — unless already means if not, so I won't go unless you come is right, not unless you don't come.