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English Grammar – UNLESS & IF NOT – negative conditional
Students are often told that unless they practice, they won’t improve. But if you don’t know whatunless means or how to use it, you might get the wrong idea. This grammar lesson focuses on the negative conditional and the consequences that follow. I’ll teach you when and how to use unless, if not, as long as, and more.
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382 COMMENTS
hi, adam! thank you very much for this lesson!
i have a question: Wy in the quis in the sentense IF YOU STUDY HARD, YOU WILL PASS THE COURSE; UNLESS THE TEACHER “DOESNT lIKE” YOU . it is not a positive verb!
unless + a negative construction
Unless means, approximately, “if not”, so to change if to unless, you need to negate the rest of the subordinate clause. Unless can be followed by a negative verb if it replaces if with a positive clause:
My uncle can help us if he gets off work soon enough.
NOW LOOK:
= My uncle can help us UNLESS he doesn’t get off work soon enough.
But the negative of a negative is a positive:
My uncle can help us if he doesn’t have to stay late at work.
= My uncle can help us UNLESS he has to stay late at work.
Best regard from Brazil.
In my idea, it would be better understood if we think of “unless” expresses somehow the meaning of “except”
My uncle can help us “except” he doesn’t get off work soon enough.
But that’s exactly that, honey!
Good.
Hi Masoud,
You make a good point. The only problem is that you still need to express the condition (if). So in this case:
My uncle can help us except IF he doesn’t get off work soon enough.
Though except if is better stated unless
Good job
difficult
Could we practicing English together, my skype is Akchor3
not difficult you should studied more
masoud you mean unless here means except it does not convey the meaning of the if not?is it different here?
emmm thanks it’s a mathematical situations
In my opinion, this sentence is: IF YOU STUDY HARD, YOU WILL PASS THE COURSE; UNLESS, THE TEACHER “DOESNT lIKE” YOU. The base question miss “,” following the word “unless” and changed the meaning of the question. :)
In this case “unless” is not the same with “if not”. Here “unless” introduce an afterthought and can be replace by “except if”, so that it isn’t a double negation.I am not sure, I just think so.
Yes, you’re right
but you didn’t tell us about it M adam
Yes, I’ve got the same question!!
yeah i have the same doubt
Thinks for the great lesson
in question number 8 why doesn’t like is right? we are using two negations at the same time!!
I agree with you ! I was watching this video it is very useful but I was confused with Q8, I think there’s an error
hello. I think so
unless + a negative construction
Unless means, approximately, “if not”, so to change if to unless, you need to negate the rest of the subordinate clause. Unless can be followed by a negative verb if it replaces if with a positive clause:
My uncle can help us if he gets off work soon enough.
NOW LOOK:
= My uncle can help us UNLESS he doesn’t get off work soon enough.
But the negative of a negative is a positive:
My uncle can help us if he doesn’t have to stay late at work.
= My uncle can help us UNLESS he has to stay late at work.
Best regard from Brazil.
what u are saying sounds right, the rule of the double negation doesn’t seem to be correct in this case!!
It does make sense, just read it very very closely.
Tanks Adam Very useful lesson.
by the way I think there is a wrong with Q8???!!!
unless + a negative construction
Unless means, approximately, “if not”, so to change if to unless, you need to negate the rest of the subordinate clause. Unless can be followed by a negative verb if it replaces if with a positive clause:
My uncle can help us if he gets off work soon enough.
NOW LOOK:
= My uncle can help us UNLESS he doesn’t get off work soon enough.
But the negative of a negative is a positive:
My uncle can help us if he doesn’t have to stay late at work.
= My uncle can help us UNLESS he has to stay late at work.
Best regard from Brazil.
Thank you, Adam! This lesson is terrific, eventually I understood how this structure works! But I also believe that the question 8 was set incorrectly.
Agreed with you ! :D
unless + a negative construction
Unless means, approximately, “if not”, so to change if to unless, you need to negate the rest of the subordinate clause. Unless can be followed by a negative verb if it replaces if with a positive clause:
My uncle can help us if he gets off work soon enough.
NOW LOOK:
= My uncle can help us UNLESS he doesn’t get off work soon enough.
But the negative of a negative is a positive:
My uncle can help us if he doesn’t have to stay late at work.
= My uncle can help us UNLESS he has to stay late at work.
Best regard from Brazil.
I got a mistake in the question 8((( unless can’t double negative!!!
can you explain the question number 8??
unless + a negative construction
Unless means, approximately, “if not”, so to change if to unless, you need to negate the rest of the subordinate clause. Unless can be followed by a negative verb if it replaces if with a positive clause:
My uncle can help us if he gets off work soon enough.
NOW LOOK:
= My uncle can help us UNLESS he doesn’t get off work soon enough.
But the negative of a negative is a positive:
My uncle can help us if he doesn’t have to stay late at work.
= My uncle can help us UNLESS he has to stay late at work.
Best regard from Brazil.
thanks I needed today
Thank you so much ..can you give more about writing easy .
Hi Adam,
Many thanks for this interesting lesson.
The answer of Q8 is logical, but it is in contradiction with the lesson content ( do not use the negative form with unless…).
Thanks again.
Thanks dear Adam. It was useful as usual.
thank you for all this interesting lessons
thank you .. so useful for me
Thanks!!
Hi.Adam, the question.number 8, you said we cannot use negative with unless, so it would be: If you study hard, you will pass the course unless the teacher likes you.
unless the teacher hate you
Thants, Adam.
I’ve got 9.ㅠㅠ
however,I think number 8 is wrong,
isn’t it?
No dear, it’s not.
I Got 10 out of 10, completely correct.
I really think there’s an error with number 8, how do you explain about what the class says when “unless” is a negative word and we can’t use double negatives? Could you please explain it to me? so I can understand or all the students here :) Thank you
Mmm, Ok, I’ll try to get my idea across!
First of all, let’s figure the sentence out:
(If you study hard you will pass the course; unless the teacher DOES NOT like you.)
Note: we have (there are) three clauses here, they are:
#1.: If you study hard
#2.: You will pass the course;
#3.: Unless the Teacher doesn’t like you.
The third clause is just an additional information (a complement), it means that you can perfectly understand the sentence without having the third one!
Look: You will pass the course, if you study hard*
* it’s important to notice that if the if-clause comes after the main clause you must add a comma (,) before the if-clause!
Now look this:
If you study hard you will pass the course; unless the teacher doesn’t like you!**
** there is a semi-colon indicating that the next sentence is kind of an additional sentence.
Now read whole sentence quite closely! Have you already read? I’ll explain it to you…
… The second clause (you will pass the course) is a positive sentence (it says: YOU WILL and not YOU WON’T) and the third clause is negative, actually, it’s a hypothetical negation, (it says: unless the teacher does not like you), it means that if your teacher does not like you there might be a risk of not passing the course, but if he does, you will certainly pass the course!!!
Now notice (over again, kkk)
You will pass the course; unless the teacher likes you!***
*** now it DOES really sounds awkward, it means that even if the teacher likes you, you won’t pass the course. so you might be a boring student, kkk
Hope it helps, kisses from Brazil dear.
As my Scottish mate said you can use it in common speech but you hardly ever will hear it from a person from the UK, Ireland who will use it as well as in the books.
If you study hard you will pass the course; (if not) the teacher DOES NOT like you.
double negative baby, paraphrase it
Read it quite closely, babe.
unless + a negative construction
Unless means, approximately, “if not”, so to change if to unless, you need to negate the rest of the subordinate clause. Unless can be followed by a negative verb if it replaces if with a positive clause:
My uncle can help us if he gets off work soon enough.
NOW LOOK:
= My uncle can help us UNLESS he doesn’t get off work soon enough.
But the negative of a negative is a positive:
My uncle can help us if he doesn’t have to stay late at work.
= My uncle can help us UNLESS he has to stay late at work.
Best regard from Brazil.
trust me I HAVE READ IT!!!. Now, just read my comment before write something. The MAIN IDEA is you CAN use it BUT It seems ODD and hard to read because normally we try to avoid double negative.
P.S. people see that you reposted from forum don’t copy it for all of us people don’t blind at all!!
Glad that you made it!
Big kiss
Oh yeap, true that! Double negative is not often used in English. Only Adam used it.
Thanks anyway for the tip.
I think Adam must decide who is right. And maybe he will give us tips. In any case, we shan’t decide for him.
Yes, let’s wait out then. Hey how’s Russia like? I’d do live getting to know RUSSIA. *-*
Love* getting to
Well, it depends upon where you are living. For example in Moscow and Saint Petersburg the things go fine. But try to go in other cities and you will see how all is not fine.(((
About the weather, it also depends upon where you are living because Mother Russia is big. And we have all from a place where you cannot see anything but sand and hot sun, and vice versa place where only the cold all year round.
That sounds not to bad! You know, June ever wanted to go to Russia, I’m afraid of going though! You know what I see in movies does not make me feel happy, I know that’s only movie though!!
Well, I’m from Brazil the weather is always pretty good, people are usually nice, so are sportslike, that’s my Brazil.
But I’m sure I will one day be in Russia for sure..
yes, totally ODD and hard to read, so I don’t buy her idea, if would have been nice if she explains with her own ideas the Q8 instead of copying and pasting other examples, explain number 8, that’s all I want to know, kisses Brazilian girl.
The second explanation was copied, but the first one I did myself.
THIS IS WHAT I DID MYSELF!!!
if you don’t mind reading, please, do it, but if you do I don’t give a Shit!
Mmm, Ok, I’ll try to get my idea across!
First of all, let’s figure the sentence out:
(If you study hard you will pass the course; unless the teacher DOES NOT like you.)
Note: we have (there are) three clauses here, they are:
#1.: If you study hard
#2.: You will pass the course;
#3.: Unless the Teacher doesn’t like you.
The third clause is just an additional information (a complement), it means that you can perfectly understand the sentence without having the third one!
Look: You will pass the course, if you study hard*
* it’s important to notice that if the if-clause comes after the main clause you must add a comma (,) before the if-clause!
Now look this:
If you study hard you will pass the course; unless the teacher doesn’t like you!**
** there is a semi-colon indicating that the next sentence is kind of an additional sentence.
Now read whole sentence quite closely! Have you already read? I’ll explain it to you…
… The second clause (you will pass the course) is a positive sentence (it says: YOU WILL and not YOU WON’T) and the third clause is negative, actually, it’s a hypothetical negation, (it says: unless the teacher does not like you), it means that if your teacher does not like you there might be a risk of not passing the course, but if he does, you will certainly pass the course!!!
Now notice (over again, kkk)
You will pass the course; unless the teacher likes you!***
*** now it DOES really sounds awkward, it means that even if the teacher likes you, you won’t pass the course. so you might be a boring student, kkk
Hope it helps, kisses from Brazil dear.
thanks for great explanation.
i got the poit from this ” My uncle can help us UNLESS he doesn’t get off work soon enough. ”
is mean the uncle can help us if he get off his work soon, Right ?
UNLESS he doesn’t get off work soon enough. ” = Positive ( he can help us if…. )
Good point. Look at my longer answer below
Thank you very much for the information and the time you took in order to explain it to me, but honey I still believe it doesn’t make sense at all, I’m sorry, I know you wanted to help, but it’s ok :) let’s call it different ways of thinking, you are right and I’m right so let’s live our lives, have a good one :)
Dude, what she (the brazilian girl, I mean) said makes sense, but I am wondering why did Adam teach us poor grammar?
In that case where’s Adam? Because he hasn’t shown up to give us an explanation, he should have left any note or something in regards to the Q8. Best regards :-) bye bye
Thanks for figuring my point out, Poslegg!
But I’m not a girl, rs, but please do not mind at all!
Thank you if I need to read I’ll go here
http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=2416252&langid=24
I did not copy that whole explanation! Can’t you see I did it totally on my own? And I’m not a girl, I’m a man, thanks!
Hi Thalinho,
Very good explanation. I’ll add a bit more in my comments below.
Thank you. :)
Thanks teacher, I knew I was teacher!
I knew I was right*
I tried to get to the bottom of the sentence, but I could not, then I have just read your annotated comment and finally get it clearly! Thanks so much! (Thanks Adam for the lesson too.)
I still didn’t get it
Totally agree with you classmate ! :D ufff I’m glad I was not the only one, so we are totally right ! :D as long as we understood the class, we will succeed !
Unfortunately you should study harder, so that you can better get ideas across!
But I’m here in case you need.
Kisses from Brazil.
That’s a good advice thank you honey, same to you, if I need help I’ll ask to any qualified teacher :) Thank you.
Anytime, sweetie =)
Thank you very much lady !!! ! =)
This lesson helped me a lot…there are still confusions but practice makes perfect…i will not tired of reviewing your video again and again. thank you.
Hello Teacher,
I’m really glad to have a marvelous teacher as you are! I DO really find your lessons pretty helpful! And I’d be gladder if you could, please, explain how to use ”no sooner…than”
Thanks teacher.
It basically means as soon as, that is, right away.
No sooner than the sun arose, the birds started whistling.
Oops,
No sooner had the sun arose (arisen), than the birds started whistling.
I got 10 yeah!
Hello teacher Adam, could you please explain to all of us about the word “unless in the Q8 ? I’d really appreciate it, have a nice day in advance.
unless + a negative construction
Unless means, approximately, “if not”, so to change if to unless, you need to negate the rest of the subordinate clause. Unless can be followed by a negative verb if it replaces if with a positive clause:
My uncle can help us if he gets off work soon enough.
NOW LOOK:
= My uncle can help us UNLESS he doesn’t get off work soon enough.
But the negative of a negative is a positive:
My uncle can help us if he doesn’t have to stay late at work.
= My uncle can help us UNLESS he has to stay late at work.
Best regard from Brazil.
thank you, but this example cannot be compared with the question number 8, could you explain to me the Q8? instead of bringing other examples here? for example how do you explain that
“if you study hard you’ll pass the test unless the teacher likes you”
it means that you don’t need to study hard just because since the teacher likes you he’s gonna pass you… So ? Best regards to Brazil.
But here the correct answer is:
if you study hard you will pass the course; unless the teacher doesn’t like you!
It means: if the teacher doesn’t like you you won’t pass the course; even if you study hard!*
*Why? Because the teacher does not like you! (of course it’s a hypothetical situation because that’s but sure he doesn’t like you, indeed)
Thanks for kissing, likewise.
Another note: Be compared to* (always) and not be compared ‘with’
Please, Do not take it personal.
As Long as and unless, are they exactly thể same,and interchangeable?
I wouldn’t say like that mate, because “Unless” means “if not” as opposed to “As long as” which means “during the time”,”since”, and “on the condition that”.
See the following examples:
“I’ll stay as long as you need me.” – means while you need me
“As long as you’ve offered, I accept.” – means since you have offered
“I will cooperate as long as I am notified on time.” – the main idea is on the condition that.
By the way, about Q8 I agree, it looks not right.
In order to be more simple:
Unless means IF NOT
As long as means IF
I can’t understand that girl, she wants us to believe her idea :/ if she’s right good for her ! if we are good for us ! who cares !! just live your life LOL hahah
Absolutely it is not right, we are all human beings and even teachers make mistakes :D
Hi Cuoung ta,
Poslegg is correct. They can both be used in conditionals, but as long as in this case is interchangeable with if. It does have other uses so you need to be careful with it.
hi Adam thanks for this lesson. i can’t use “unless”. but i prefer “if not”.
Thank you Adam. Unless I use EngVid, I can not improve my English.
Thank alot Adem
Appreciate you this .
thanks Adam
Why should this be “doesn’t like you” in the quiz? It was used with unless which doesn’t need a negative though…
unless + a negative construction
Unless means, approximately, “if not”, so to change if to unless, you need to negate the rest of the subordinate clause. Unless can be followed by a negative verb if it replaces if with a positive clause:
My uncle can help us if he gets off work soon enough.
NOW LOOK:
= My uncle can help us UNLESS he doesn’t get off work soon enough.
But the negative of a negative is a positive:
My uncle can help us if he doesn’t have to stay late at work.
= My uncle can help us UNLESS he has to stay late at work.
Best regard from Brazil.
Hi Adam,
Thanks for this lesson. I got 90% and missed to answer question number-8 which took me maximum time to answer among all questions and unfortunately I had chosen the wrong answer. Could you explain it to me little further why should we use could not instead of could in context of that question?
unless + a negative construction
Unless means, approximately, “if not”, so to change if to unless, you need to negate the rest of the subordinate clause. Unless can be followed by a negative verb if it replaces if with a positive clause:
My uncle can help us if he gets off work soon enough.
NOW LOOK:
= My uncle can help us UNLESS he doesn’t get off work soon enough.
But the negative of a negative is a positive:
My uncle can help us if he doesn’t have to stay late at work.
= My uncle can help us UNLESS he has to stay late at work.
Best regard from Brazil.
Hi Thalinho,
One question about your comments for the Q8:
if I say : unless you don’t smoke, you won’t feel better… is it right??
If you study hard, you will pass the course; unless the teacher ________ you.
likes
doesn’t like there is Negative how come
your adivce Appreciate . many thanks
I was listening to Jason Derulo’s new song but I didn’t understand a few words.Maybe you can explain me.
(When we were chillin)
(Til you were eating off my spoon)
(And coming over)
(We’re going all the way)
(If we walk down this road)
(Let your love crash into me)
Thanks
Hi Henrique,
(When we were chillin-hanging out
(Til you were eating off my spoon-we were comfortable)
(And coming over)
(We’re going all the way-having sex)
(If we walk down this road)
(Let your love crash into me)
These “could’ be the interpretations, but then, who knows? :)
This is first that I obtain 50% in my score, it is mean tha I must study hard to improve my knowlege.. THanks Adam…
Hello Adam,
Thanks for your great lesson. You have cleared many of my doubts. it will be useful for everyone those who wish to speak very well… Thanks..Thanks
Dear Mr. Adam !
Thank you for your marvelous video of today.
Would you be able to recommend a Dictionary that provide : syllables accented and ponnciations of letters.
Thank you in advance.
Hi Aateffaeq7<
For British English, Oxford is a good bet (oxforddictionaries.com).
For American, Meriam-webster's (m-w.com)
Hallo, Dear Mr. Adam!
Thank you again for your interest/attention/regard/heed/solicitude/
studiousness.
Sincerely
Atef
:) nice
thank you very much for this lesson!
Thank you , nice and useful lesson :)
Dear Sir, pls let me know why doesn’t use LIKES here??? unless negative also doesn’t like negative…u explained do not use two negatives so how can i use DOES NOT LIKE??
If you study hard, you will pass the course; unless the teacher _LIKES_______ you.
unless + a negative construction
Unless means, approximately, “if not”, so to change if to unless, you need to negate the rest of the subordinate clause. Unless can be followed by a negative verb if it replaces if with a positive clause:
My uncle can help us if he gets off work soon enough.
NOW LOOK:
= My uncle can help us UNLESS he doesn’t get off work soon enough.
But the negative of a negative is a positive:
My uncle can help us if he doesn’t have to stay late at work.
= My uncle can help us UNLESS he has to stay late at work.
Best regard from Brazil.
i got confused with number 8 … double negative?
I’m in US less one year & need real these gremmar.Thanks.
I’m in US less one year & need real these grammar.Thanks.
thanks for this exertion
how to use “as far as” and “sooner and later” plz help me Mrs Adams
Hi Sami,
As far as can be used to compare distance. It can also mean to the extent that…
As far as I know, winters in most countries are cold. (I don’t know, but experience allows me to make this guess)
Sooner or later means inevitable.
Hope that helps
So, Can I use “unless” with a negative if I don’t use it in a conditional clause?
Hi Hectcap,
Yes, if it’s clear that you are taking as an exception a negative ‘circumstance’.
Hello Alan, thank you for your videos. You are killing it. How about this sentence: IF YOU STUDY HARD, YOU WILL PASS THE COURSE; UNLESS THE TEACHER dislikes YOU .
well said Jose :)
Thanx
Thank you Alan
Alan!?!!!
;)
You are right Fatima Adam :-D
:)
Adam thanks a lot for interesting lesson! And thanks all guys for enlightening discussion about Q8! I also made the mistake )
Where is Adam? People were so confusing right here!!
If unless can’t be used + negative, why is p8. incorrect?
8. If you study hard, you will pass the course; unless the teacher ________ you.
likes
doesn’t like
I have chosen LIKES.
I got 10! Very nice, because actually, it’s not an easy lesson…
I´ve come back.
Good, i´ll try again.
Hi,Adam.It was a marvelous lesson,man;By the way,keep going with your lessons,because the Brazilians like them a lot.
70, could be better. :)
#3 I made an obvious mistake, so look at the others.
#6 — I don’t get the meaning of the sentence. What meat and pudding have to do with each other? xD
#9 — I knew that probably all 3 would match, but what actually “mean” means in this sentence?
“Unless you’re kind to people, people will be mean to you.” — I looked up into a dictionary, and “mean” could be in an adjective form, and there are also 11 meanings, and I think the above sentence could be rewritten to: “If you’re not kind to people, people will be unkind to you.” — right?
I don’t know why, but sometimes I know how to use “unless”, and sometimes it sounds strange. For example in #8 — “If you study hard, you will pass the course; unless the teacher doesn’t like you.” — and this is pretty understandable to me, but, for example, in #1 I don’t know why this look strange to me. Maybe people prefer “if + not” instead of “unless” in this kind of sentences and that’s why I don’t hear it very often, I don’t know. :)
I’ve read all comments, and I think I understand what other people can’t and vice versa. That’s weird. xD
It happens :)
I’m glad you got the idea, morfik!
Good luck to your syudy!
LOL sorry, #6 is Pink Floyd lyrics. You can’t have dessert unless you finish your dinner.
You’re right about #9, but people use mean more than unkind. English is a very nuanced language- when you want a harsh word it’s there. When you want a softer one, it’s there too, or you soften another. Like doesn’t like and dislike.
You’re also right- people prefer ‘if not’ because it causes less confusion.
No, I’m not believing what she’s saying all she says confuses me :'( I know I’m right and if she’s happy believing that it’s wonderful, but please don’t confuse others, by copying and pasting that’s not gonna solve anything or doing spam to all comments here, so that attitude is not like she’d like to help, she just wants to make others believe what she believes, I am fine because I know I’m right, so I’m not accepting an idea which confuses me a lot and doesn’t have any sense to AT ALL, it is just a simple question, there is no need to be doing spam, ..but thanks for your help and kisses to Brazil. Good Luck with your English. Best regards.
it doesn’t make any sense AT ALL. the examples have nothing to do with the Q8, it can’t be compared, it’s irrelevant. Best regards to you :)
Hey, I just tried to help, I said so because I know that’s right, but you don’t need to believe anyway!
Look the verb ‘believe’ is a stative verb, it means that you cannot use it in -ing form (believing) as you mentioned before…
so you had to say: I don’t/can’t believe what said…
Actually that is not correct, because “I’m not believing” is another way to refer the future like ” I’m not going to believe you” did you learn that? You should know it. And in regards to compared yep you’re right :) thanks for reminding me. Kiss sweetie and have a great one.
can you explain question no. 06
You must eat the meat or I don’t give you any pudding.
Hi Khanzuhhaib,
Sorry about that. It’s a line from a famous song. It means you can’t have dessert if you don’t finish your dinner.
Hope that helps :)
finished ur meat first, and i’ll give u pudding then ( for ur dessert ) :D
i can’t understand question no. 05??
If none of them assume the responsibility for the mess, all the students will be punish to clean the floor.
Arinamg is right. If noone speaks, they will all be punished.
Hi Adam. Truly a good lesson !
Adam!!!! Thank you so much for your help. i’m very glad to learn this clip. ^-^
TEACHER, could uou please explain us the question 8? Most of us are confusing about.
Thank you!
Confused* about!
THANK you …you read my mind
Hi all!
I believe that question no.8 should be like this:
‘If you study hard, you will pass the course; unless the teacher LIKES you’. Because ‘unless’ means ‘if not’ the sentence can be translated as follows: ‘if the teacher DOES NOT like you’.
that’s so true!!!
Thank you so much.
We have a lot of questions, but where is Adam?
Hi Adams ! Great lesson. You’re a brilliant teacher. By the way,I think you should have had more participacion this time, unless you’re ill. Hope you’re well ! See you soon !
#8 was a trick question, wasn’t it?:)
pretty stimulating lesson .
I`ve a few queries
1- Can I used “will” or “shall” after unless
for instance :
He will not be free, unless he will convince the court that he is innocent .
2- Can I used “unless” in lieu of “or else”
for instance :
with “or else ” -you`d would better go, or else you`ll miss the train
with “unless” – you`d better go, unless you miss the train, or will miss .
Hi Hisham,
In a conditional, only the result clause can take the ‘will’ verb. The if/unless clause must remain in the present tense.
Also, unless and or else are completely different and can’t be interchanged.
you`d better go, or else you`ll miss the train.
Hey Guys im the newer one on here!
Lady and Gentlemen, we are at war)), where is Adam??
**Ladies and Gentlemen
a little battle is good for the brain :)
hi adam, very clear lesson, as usual.
i love this web site!
“You got 10 correct out of 10.” great!
I see a lot of Brazilians here. It’s nice. I like Portuguese too.
hi, thanks adam for this lesson, it’s very useful!!
concerning question 8 , I think unless means ‘except’, doesn’t it?!
It was quite difficult quiz , anyway thank you :)
Hi Adam, Like everybody here I’m confuse with the 8 question, please explain us. I understand the point of thalinho but you said that you don’t use double negatives!!! Unless you explain us our concern, we can’t understand the lesson very well(is that correct?)
Konzol
– – is +
Dear Adam,
Hope everything’s been going well with u;
Let me know the difference btw Which n In which?!
Many thanks,
:P Wish u luck!
Hi Fatima,
Which can be used as a subject in the relative clause.
Moby Dick, which is a great novel, was made into a movie.
In which can only be used as an object.
The hospital in which I was born no longer exists.
(the hospital I was born in )…
Hope that helps. :)
Nice of u!
…so,in the 2nd 1,can’t we say “The hospital WHICH (instead of in which) I was born…” ??!!
Sooo tnx,
:) fatiima!
well, you could say The hospital where I was born…
or the Hospital that i was born in…
Thank you so much, it’s very useful video.
I’m getting understand the 8th question, but I need a hand for the second. I think, this is an unreal past. I was taught about that: if+past perfect and would have+past participle.
“You shouldn’t have agreed to help her” if you hadn’t wanted to. (in my opinion)
If it was a mix-conditional (3/2), than it wouldn’t be better understandable (for me).
Thanks in advance.
Hi Jooop,
Good question. Both are correct, and you are right, it is a mixed conditional:
1)If you hadn’t wanted to help her…
2)If you didn’t want to help her…
These have different meanings:
1- you already helped her, but didn’t want to
2- you haven’t helped yet, but don’t want to.
Both deal with an unreal situation, but 1 is a past unreal, unreal because you can’t change the past. 2 is unreal because it is hypothetical.
1- helped but didn’t want to
2- don’t want to help, but you should because you (had) agreed to
Does that help?
hi, what about this question:
I can’t understand why he’s late, ________ he didn’t get our message.
I have 3 options: 1 unless 2 providing 3 as long as
Unless it’s the correct one… could tell me why? Thanks a lot
Hi Pippo,
Here unless means that you are suggesting a possible reason. If he didn’t get our message, then I understand why he’s late. here unless is almost similar to maybe.
hope that helps
Hi everyone,
I’ve read over the comments and I understand the main problem here.
First, I have to apologize for the confusion. I have taken the language for granted a little and been too casual.
What I mean is that instead of saying
“doesn't like”you, I should have said“dislikes”you. This would be a positive verb and would have worked completely well. People don’t usedislikeas often asdoesn’t (don’t) likebecause it sounds too harsh, even though that’s what they usually mean.Let’s look at the sentence in Q8:
If you study hard, you will pass; unless the teacher doesn’t like you.First thing we must notice is that the unless clause comes after a semicolon (
;). This semicolon breaks up the sentence so that the last part is not part of the conditional anymore — it is an afterthought, something that we add after the result clause is understood and that is an exception to that.What I mean is:
If you study hard, you will pass.Study hard = pass
The exception to this is if the teacher dislikes you. In that case, even if you study hard, you will not pass because the teacher dislikes like you. So in this case,
unlessis an exception, not a conditional.If you study hard, you will pass.“You will pass”DEPENDS on the condition of studying.But, in this sentence we have the result (you will pass) and an exception, that is a situation in which you won’t pass.
Here is another example:
1.
If he arrives to the meeting late, he’ll be fired.2.
Unless he arrives on time, he’ll be fired.(if he doesn’t arrive on time…)3.
Unless he doesn’t arrive late, he’ll be fired.Now, going back to what I said about
doesn’t likeanddislikes— In the above examples, people may say #3, but it is not good English, especially if you have a good alternative like #2. #3 will make people have to think about the meaning and get rid of the double negative to make the meaning clear.With
doesn’t likeanddislikes, people mix these up regularly.Here are Thalinho’s sentences:
4.
My uncle can help us UNLESS he doesn’t get off work soon enough.5.
My uncle can help us if he doesn’t have to stay late at work.6.
My uncle can help us UNLESS he has to stay late at work.5 and 6 are good. 4 might be said, but it would be poor English, even as an exception:
My uncle can help us; unless he doesn’t get off work soon enough.(but even here, I would go with the positive form — unless he has to stay late).With exceptions, you must remember that what comes in the clause that doesn’t have the
‘unless’is a truth, not a result.I hope this helps make Q8 more clear. But just in case, I will try to make quizzes more straightforward in the future. (That being said, however, you should keep in mind that these kinds of sentences are common in speech and you may have to navigate around them sometimes.)
Also, I’ll get to the other questions shortly.
Thanks for supporting my explanation, teacher. Even though many people didn’t trust me I know I was right… Thanks to you!
Haha =)
Profound explanations. Thank you very much, Adam!
Now it feels much better. Tnx.
but I am wondering why you are gonna make the questions more straightforward, I think it is amazing to have some tricky questions, on the other hand I encourage you to make videos about tricky questions, exactly like in this case in Q8.
Best wishes.
I couldn’t agree more. If the verb were “DISLIKE” it
would be easier to understand.
Anyway, it doesn’t affect your proficiency in mastering the language.
You are s wonderful and dedicated Professor.
Now, how about having some ice cream and sing a song,huh?
“Life is what happens to you while you are busy….”
The lesson was very well explained, the verb “dislike” would have made the understanding of the
sentence easier…right…but…for crying out loud,
“if you didn’t understand it today, you will tomorrow.”
Many thanks again, Professor Adam.
“How about having some ice cream and SINGING a song.”
” If you DON’T understand it today, you will tomorrow.”
Just correcting the mistakes I made in the comment.
Thanks again, Adam.
Thank you very much.. This video helped me a lot and the explanation of question 8 is so clear and useful :)
Thank you for your explanation Adam. It was a confusing case
Thank you Adam!
9/10
Great lesson Adam! :)
Really useful and clear…
Thank you Adam
You are the best
thank you
Thank you
Thank you Adam. GOD BLESS YOU.
I need some teacher advice please, (I’m in year6 (England school) and I’m doing my SATS (very important assessment) next week. Please give me advice towards how I can finish the reading comprehension on time and not make silly mistakes. I really aim to get a 5a :) Thanks.
Hi Houdah,
A lot to say in answer to this. Quick advice:
1- prioritize the questions into an order from least amount of reading to most.
2- do all the vocab questions first.
3- read the questions before you read the passage. Then go look for the answer where it “should” be.
4- scan the passage to know what the general idea is (this will make number 3 easier)
Sorry I can’t say more, but I hope this helps.
Good luck.
Thank you very much. God Bless You.
Thank you very much. God Bless You.
come on Adam ..Houdah is asking an important question… i -too- face the same difficulty… could you please prepare a lesson for us.. you are our good teacher..in the TOEFL and in the IELTS there are several reading passages which are complicated and out of our interests.. how can we manage the situation !! we want to pass , Adam.
I’ll try to do a few test lessons for reading :)
WOW! That a response. Sorry again for the confusion. I am glad though to see people getting involved like this. I will just ask that everyone tries to be a little patient and considerate here. We are all here to do the same thing- learn. Let’s help each other.
Thanks Adam. You’ve solved my confused grammar point. This video is very useful and good.
Thank you!!!
Could you explain difference to say `won’t` and `want`, please ?
Thanks!!
Hello Adam,you’re nice.
I need your help, is this sentence right?
“I’m not supposed to fail if I study hard”
Thanks a lot!
Yep, that’s right!
Thanks Adam
thx Adam
Thank you.
Adam, you are so great. Thanks for doing all these. I have a GRE exam and start getting nervous about VOCAB. I have perseverance in learning English but I can’t make miracle happen and put all English words in my brain. Do you have any suggestions for me?
Hi Samira… believe me you teach English well…you taught me (raw deal) do you remember?
Dear Adam:
I enjoyed watching your lesson whereas, as you have already been told, Q8 is significantly tricky.
Although it is possible to begin a negative clause with “unless”, you say that you do not like double negatives. As a matter of fact, on certain occasions they are incorrect. For instance, you can say either “I have no money” or “I don’t have any money”; by no means can you say “I don’t have no money”. Therefore, I am afraid that the average person is likely to get confused when answering Q8, although in this particular case “unless” and “doesn’t like” can perfectly be used together.
Besides, the complex sentence “If you study hard, you will pass the course” is already connected to the sentence “unless the teacher doesn’t like you” by a semi-colon (;). In general, “unless” is also a connector, in spite of the fact that it might be fair to say that it is not in this particular case. You might even want to tell me that in this case “unless” is like “today” in a sentence like “Today I am very tired”. In other words, the whole sentence looks confusing and debatable – at least, to me – and I would never write it myself and / or give it to any of my students.
Please bear in mind that I am only stating what I have come to see (my personal opinion), and I know it is possible that quite a few people will not agree with me. In any event, I always like to say that I might be wrong regardless of what is currently in question.
I thank you very much for your lesson and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Ernesto Simon
Hi Ernesto,
Well put.But that is the beauty of English actually. It is a language of rules made to be broken.
That being said, not sure if you read my explanation, but I did say that I would be more straightforward in the future and be more careful about taking some constructions for granted.
I appreciate your comment :)
Thanks for this lesson, Adam. As far as I know, instead of “unless” I also can use “until”. Is it synonym?
Dear Adam… you say – do not use negative with (unless) . but point 8 in the quiz is confusing..!!! could u comment please.
Thank you mansour1 & Adam
the question is confusing
Hello Adam,
How are you?
I’m really enjoying watching your videos and I learn a lot through your lessons.
I want to ask you about “Under, Below, Beneath and Underneath”.
How can I use them probably, specially (beneath and underneath)
Thank you
that was difficult to me
Yayyyyy for the first time 90 ♥♥♥ yeahh I’m so happy thank you teacher adam ♥♥♥♥
Thank you very much, Adam! I got 100!
Thanx a lot. Thats really confused but, i seem likely to understand it a little as the way of using this sentences is pretty complicated.
Unless you watch this lesson, you will be much confused …..
thanks a lot Adam , it very interesting and useful
Thanks Adam..
“People will be mean to you”
What’s that sentence mean?
hello to all and Adam too .i got follow that conditional lessons in fact i had learnt some anew words today but i wish that to kept on my mind thanks alot and have luck to all …….
Thanks for this lesson ,Adam.I am also confused about Q8. Pleas explain it.
Thanks Adam :)
Adam thanks i got the answer about Q8 after reading your explanation now i got it
I do not think taht is very pretty
Thanks , Adam!
TEACHER LEAVE THEM KIDS ALONE !!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks a lot Adam.”I’ll use Engvid as long as it stays free.” ^^
this example is a joke: North Korea often threatens to blow up the US _______ they receive food aid.
how about: ——— AMERICA take your natural resources, it will strike your country.
* unless
* if not
plz “engvid” don’t do this any more ……
I absolutely agree with you. I’m from Kazakhstan, and I was unpleasant with this incorrect example.
I did it, even wrong no. 8 ^_^.
thanks Adam
Hi teacher Adam!!
I have a question: when we use unless, can we use in positive form??
hi teacher Adam
is this correct?
if we were not sick we would have come to the party
?thanks
hello Adam
thank you for teaching, but to be honest i am confused because you said when we use unless we should not use negative verb but in the exam there is a question :
if you study you will pass the exam unless your teacher do not like you.
here unless is a negative word and do not like is a negative verb, it is double negative is not it?
thank you for all your help.
Hello Adam , Thank you for your great lessons :)
I’m very interested in knowing the differences between Canadian Accent and American one ,all I know about this matter is that Canadians usually tend to use “eh” rather than using question tag , and that they pronounce certain words like (House , about , South ,..etc) differently, can you please make a video about this ? You know all the videos on Youtube that cover this subject are made by non-professionals and sometimes the information they provide might not be true or precise . so it would be helpful to have some videos that are prepared by professionals . Thanks in advance ^_^
Hi, Adam. Thank you for useful lessens.
I think it’s easy to think that “UNLESS THE TEACHER DOESN’T lIKE YOU” is same as “UNLESS THE TEACHER HATES YOU” about Q8. is it right?
anyway, Q8 is confusing!
Your explanation was very clear! I got 10 out of 10!! :) Thanks Adam!
Are theses sentences correct?
1. I am not signing these reports unless you correct the problem.
2. I am not signing these reports unless you have corrected the problem.
3. I am not signing these reports unless the problem has been corrected.
yet me, who is not that good in English know that mean can be a bad person, about the question 9.
Thank you Adam
Thanks Adam for your very good explanation how to use and understand “unless”! That helps me a lot. I’m very interested in how to increase my vocabulary, I’ll just have a look at your tip! Till next time!
even me, i must say.
Hi Adam,
at min 4:42, you said “what’s going to happen?” then corrected it “what will happen” …
What’s the difference !?
now im getting confuse
Dear Mr Adam ,
Thank you for your time
But I need more clarification about what you had mention in you lesson in the about question bellow the answer was ( doesn’t like ) why ? you said no negative with Unless how come to be that
Thanks
If you study hard, you will pass the course; unless the teacher ________ you.
likes
doesn’t like
Thanks Sir, I got 70%.
Very interesting, the use always keeps me thinking.
Hi Adam is realy good how do you explain the lesson, it is easy to understand.
Hello Adam,
I think,question 8 is wrong. What do you think?
You say: We don’t like double negatives. :)
thx! everything is clear!
thanks.How to hange this sentence?
-If he does some serious research online,he will write an interesting article.
Unless he does some…………………,he won’t write an interesting article??????????
is my answer right??????
Yes, it’s totaly correct.
Hi Teacher,
I am a little confused with this one : “If you study hard, you will pass the course; unless the teacher doesn’t like you.”
As you see teacher we have used here a negative situation doesn’t like after unless, even though in the video you tell us never use negative after unless.
Could you please help me with this one.
Interesting
Although I got to 90%, I have stumbled by NO.8.
Afterwards I saw the teacher’s advice and I understood it.
Thank you teacher.
hi teacher!i really enjoy your lessons.can you teach us about the clauses?i mean adverb clauses noun clauses and adjective clauses
Thank you Adam, you are great.
Hi Adam, will you help me with Question no 7 and 8.In question no 8 there are 2 negatives, how is it possible?
Yeahhh I have the same thing as well, at nr.8 are two negatives, why, Adam said it’s doesn’t do. I don’t know….
heyy Adam… i really like this lesson…thank u…unless gives negative meaning, right? can we use unless+ not+ V
hi sorry i have a question
in this sentence
If banks extend credit, many shop will open
Unless banks don’t extend credit, many shop will open
Is ok ?
good!!
Hi,
would you comment this sentence
/I’ll go skiing unless it doesn’t snow./
unless is before doesn’t
hey adam, hope you’re doing great :)
i want to ask you something pls.
well, during watching english movies and tv.shows etc.
i’ve never noticed them using these kind of words (unless as long as etc ). they do use it but not much
i fell like we’re studying these stuff just because of exams and maybe reading books
so i need to know what you think about that, is that really true that native english speakers don’t use this kind of grammar ( advanced grammar )much in their life
thanks :)
As per you’re teaching, Unless and other Negative word cannot come together then how my answers to question 08 is incorrect. appreciate you’re comments.
I got 8/10 but it’ a little bit difficult when you’re supposed to use unless. The tip. is not use negative verb. In this case
Thanx Mr.Adam.I wanna ask if there is a video here to explain unreal conditional or not?
Thanks Adam, I got 70 %, but at question nr. 8 are two negatives ( unless & doesn’t ). You said two negatives doesn’t make sense. If you didn’t say that we will do right answer. Thanks.
Bit confusing but i’ll hold on it eventually.
Thanks Adam Sir for lesson
hello Adam sir,
first of all i want to tell u your way of teaching is excellent u look so cool while teaching. pls tell me why do we use past tense even we are talking about present. thank u
Thanks Adam, I got 9/10 ! But i don’t really understand the question 8; “Unless” was used with negative form (doesn’t) :/
dear adam, plants need water to grow. use if
Excellent session that was… Infact, all the sessions of yours are… Was just wondering, if I speak to some one, in order to improve my vocab and grammar and that person is with the similar skill set as I am, how would that help me :(
Could you please suggest…
Thanks Adam, your explanations are very clear and easy to understand
thank’s , it so clear explanation
Many thanks for your lessons Adam. They are really useful.
Thanks Adam,great lesson.
if I hear a lot I will be better.
unless I hear A lot I will be bad
sorry for poor English writing but with you I feel better ISA.
Thanks teacher Adam very much.
Unless my English it’s so bad no one going understand
you made it sound simple but i know its need a lot of practice
Thank you Adam for this lesson. By the way I would like to know if we can change the following sentence with If into Unless:
If you doubt, don’t take it.
Unless you doubt, take it.
Thank you so much
Hi Adam, for Question 8 is something unclear for me.Could you please explain us, i saw that also another “students” were confused about it.Thanks for your lessons, you are a great teacher!Best regards from Romania :)
Thanks for imparting this lesson.
Your the best teacher!
great job
In question 8
” Unless your teacher doesn’t like you ”
Dose unless still mean if…not here or it doesn’t mean if …not anymore ?
Thanks for anyone who will answer this .
Well Done Adam! Keep u the good job buddy I like your style.
I got 6/10
I don’t understand ‘as long as’ between ‘if’
HI.. just a quick question: can i substitute UNLESS with the second and third conditionals? thank you, thank you, thank you. :)
not easy
very useful lesson! could you explaim how can I use “If I were to” on some sentence?
I actually forgot it but now I’ve remembered it again.
Thank you so much Adam for the lesson. I’m looking forward for the next one.
so needful !Adam is so practical in teaching and transmitting the main information!I mean that he is always acurate and to the point!many congrats for your work!
Thank you
i got 9 out of 10, yet my problem is how to determine the clauses mr. adam
hello Adam
you are the best teacher in world, you got perfect style of teaching. for a long time I have made confuse with unless and otherwise but now I am clear.
thank you.
Dear Adam,
Thank you so very much these many many helpful teaching!! Your lessons has been helped so very much to improve my language skills in english. I would like to take an observation: If I guess well then in this lesson you aimed the kind of languages where are no differences among meanings of these phrases: “If not, unless, as long as”, am I not? In hungarian there is an exact meaning of “unless” word. The hungarian know it precisely the differences among these words and they cannot make mistakes as applying these words in various sentences. Might you make lessons about polysemantic words? It would be very useful for me. I would like to understand better the meaning of “abide” word, for example.Thank You and I wish you happy, perseverance and successful work further.
I have still an idea: We can define the term of “unless” word is consists exclusively of conditional and negative statement, but it is used only as an exception in sentences.
Well 8/10 not bad at all. Thanks, it´s been very useful!
hi!
this class was easy, and I got it…..I am happy for that.
thanks! teacher.
Hi Adam. I have a question about sentence 8. If I answer” unless she likes you” I understand that If the teacher likes me, no matter if a study ir not because I will pass the exam;I am her womanizer, jejee. I accept the other possible answer but, is the one I texted you write as well? Thank you so much in advance.
Hugs
Is the one I texted you right as well?
Adam, great lesson. Thanks a lot. Hope you will help us in using the conditional words “Provided/Providing (that)” please.
HI Adam I like your lesson, and iwouuld like to practice more. Where can I get more exercises? Could you give us.
Hi Adam! Thanks a lot!
thanks
Hi! Im really in trouble ..i have an grammar exam tommorow and i memories all grammar tenses rules.. but when i practisse it i had a lot of mistakes .. i need ur help mts adam …
I got 7 out of 10… i got mistakes at questions # 2,4,8.. thanks for sharing this lesson adam… it helps me alot…
Thank you Adam.
Hello Adam, Thanks for all the lessons that every day improve my english.
Hi adam, I want to add a very important remak. We cannot use unless if the sentence doesn’t mean except if. Is this true?
Hello, Adam.You said,”no negative verb with unless”, so why is “unless the teacher doesn’t like you” the correct answer?
logically “unless the teacher doesn’t like you” is the correct answer. The teacher may have to re-shoot the video.
So, unless you study and work hard you won’t be an english fluent speaker.
Thanks a lot!!
Woahh i got 9 score half a 10, the Q8 i think it’s doing wrong right? Cause “unless” is a negative conditional, but thanks Mr. Adam for your lesson :)
Hello friends Iam new and I don’t know what to do please tell me
thanks for using of if, if not, unless, as long as, as long as … that. I stand for
Good afternoon.
Thanks Adam. It’s clear lesson.
hello,my teacher Adam!i wanna get a good video on the difference b/w the causitive verbs “make”and”have”.i am a little bit confused about the usage of the words described above.if you could make me understand,this would be your kindness to me.thanks,anxious to get answer of the questions asked by me from you.
Hi Adam why on the video in the minute 4 43 you said “what’s going to happen?” but you correct yourself by saying what will happen? why was wrong “whats going to happen”? I will appreciate if you can help me to understand
Thanks
hi adam ı have been learning english for two years but still ı can not feel ready to live in another else country. altough ı have a class about english ı will never give up watching your videos. a day when ı feel ready ı wanna come near to you :)
I’m sorry, but I can’t understand
Tid is 2x Negativ?
” If you study hard, you will pass the course; unless the teacher _doesn’t like_ you.”
I’ve also found that sentence confusing. Maybe it would be more correct to say: “If you study hard, you will pass the course, unless IF the teacher doesn’t like you.”?
Hi, I love your lessons but I didn’t understand very clear these examples, but thanks anyway.
Thanks for the class, professor Adam. I’d like to
say that ” IT IS A TRUTH UNIVERSALLY ACKNOWLEDGED
THAT”if a person wants to learn a language other than his/ her own language, that person should dive into the language,absorb its slightest details, and accept it the way it is.
It is “another” language…it has its own and
beautiful singularities, and I think that’s what makes, whatever that language is, beautiful.
The more you like the language you want to learn
the more you realize the less you know.
It’s necessary to have a piece of humble pie every
day. Humbleness is a paramount quality.
Thanks a lot, again, professor Alex.
As I am used to studying your lessons, Professor Adam,and Professor Alex’s as well, I wrote his name on the comment above. I do apologize for it, although I am sure
you would understand, in case you read it.
“I’ll go on attending your classes, unless you
tell me not to do so.”
A million thanks.
I have a question? can we always use unless only if the sentence starts with a negative word like ‘can’t,wouldn’t etc.’or with a negating party. What if I say, I will go to school unless I have something else to do. or Is it also right if I say, I will lend you my book unless I need it for myself.’?
hi lovely teacher . i have one question in number 8 8. If you study hard, you will pass the course; unless the teacher ________ you.
likes
doesn’t like
why does not like ????!!! we have unless amd we can not use negative verb????!!!!
same question here
Mr Adam thanks for your explanation for the english grammar about if not/ unless there is 2 questions from me :
1. Is about, what is the meaning of will be mean to you it’s kind of negatif sentence ?
2. why does number 8 answer is doesn’t like you, Mr. Adam said that if unless please don’t use double not
can you explain about it Mr ?
Thanks for your attention
Thank you Adam
I got 9 out of 10. I expect 10 but in question 8 was a trick that I did not pay attention it. Thank you, Adam, for being such a great teacher.
That’s lit!
Hi, Adam, you are my favorite teacher because you explain yourself wonderfully! Have you done any lessons on verbs which don´t take ING? Thank you in advance!
Thanks for the video. However, the example “North Korea often threatens to blow up the US _______ they receive food aid.”- is incorrect.
Thanks Adam.
I have a question about the no 8. If you study hard, you will pass the course; unless the teacher ________ you.
likes
doesn’t like
why is not “likes”
cuz,unless cannot +negative meaning
I asked to him the same question
Thank you very much,Adam! Great lesson!
Thanks a lot for a great lesson. But I am also wondering if we can use UNLESS with II and III conditionals.
e.g. I wouldn’t go to the party, unless they invited me.
I wouldn’t have done that project, unless Mike had helped me.
P.S. I’ve tried to find some information about this on the Internet but the information I came across was very controversial. Please, help me)
Thanks Adam for your entertaining lessons, I just feel that English is so inconsistent I mean you just told us in the video not to use “unless” with negations; however, in the quiz above i had to choose a negation form(unless the teacher doesn’t like you). So what do you think could be the best way to deal with these inconsistencies in the English language! Actually, I have tried learning English grammar by listening to natives, but nonetheless I always find some irregularities among natives’ speeches. Moreover, some natives,who don’t have a good educational background, do even make mistakes such as saying If I was, using both (as) and like) interchangebly, …etc. As a result, after a while my ears become used to English grammar being spoken this way and hence I even sometimes think that this is how some sentences should be structured, uknowingly that it is informal way of speech!
Hi Adam
You said in the lesson. We use a positive sentence with (unless), but one of the answers abovethat is preceded by unless is negative. How come?
unless the teacher #doesn’t like you
Thanks
Thank you Adam specially for Quiz ! I’m from India . but can you help me to write paragraphs ? by the way Thank you very much again for your lessons
8. If you study hard, you will pass the course; unless the teacher ________ you.
a) likes
b) doesn’t like
I chose variant “a” but the answer was “b”. Why? You said that unless+negative is wrong. Can you explain deeply?
Hi,
If I don’t study English much enough I can’t communicate with English speakers with ease. Unless I studied English 3 to 5 hours daily but today have big troubles to pass this lesson quiz.
Best
Actually unless seems weird in here, I think it should be “even if” or “even though”
Adam Thank thank thank!
Thanks Adam for the lesson.
I did’t understand question 8
it doesn’t make sense unless you use the second meaning of this word..at least in Polish
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtsteGH-mTg
Hi Adam
If we use (unless) instead of (if) in the following which one is correct please?
If you hate school,you won’t succeed.
A-unless you hate school,you won’t succeed.
B-unless you hate school,you will succeed.
Hi Adam,
Based on “Advanced learner’s grammar” book published by Longman:
Unless is not always an alternative to if not, especially when the negative condition after if is contrary to known facts, and in most questions:
You’d be happier unless you had such high expectations. (wrong)
You’d be happier if you didn’t have such high expectations. (correct)
What time shall we leave for the theater unless he turns up? (wrong)
What time shall we leave for the theater if he doesn’t turn up? (correct)
Also, in this book, it is acceptable to use unless with not.
I agree with the book. I want to know your idea about it.
Thanks,
Why is wrong to say as long as in question 7? As long as and unles, dont have the same meaning? Regards
Thank you Adam, great lesson and thanks to be specific with the Q8, it just a matter to be get used to this way of speak.
in question number 8, the function of the word “unless” is diffrent. Am I right?
A very thankful for your wonderful lesson! It’s so useful,very clear,more informative.you have explained with great fluency and clear that is more helped in easy to get anything from your lesson.I really like your lesson as always.
Hi There, I have a doubt with the question number 8. If we only use unless in positive statement, why the correct answer here is negative. Thank you very much for your support.
9/10! If I don’t learned English hardly, I will not improve my English level. Unless I quit play video game, I will not have time to study.
9/10!If I don’t learn English hardly, I will not improve my English level. Unless I quit playing video games, I will not have time to study.
Hi Adam! Just a clarification: “unless” means “if not” only in conditional sentences? Thanks. Have a nice day!
8/10! I need help with help synthesis
Hi Adam. I learn a lot from you.
Could you please explain below example. I do not know if it is OK or not?
Unless we put him on pressure, we do not know how he perform.
Unless you have found it yet, keep trying.
The use of ‘yet’ in this sentence is correct or not?
In the given sentence if we use ‘if not’ instead of unless, the sentence seems quite correct. What I want to ask you is that can we use yet in the sentence of unless. Please guide Mr. Adam. Awaiting your answer.
I got 60?
some of the questions were cute and fun Adam :)tnx for the lesson and quiz
Another great lesson.
Is this sentence correct? ??
“I won’t get qualified next year, unless I fail the exams, of course.”
I won’t get qualified next year , unless I pass the exam of course
Or I will get qualified next year, if not I fail the exams of course
Thank u kindly Mr adam
Test #8 is a bit provocative to stir the swamp alive.
adam I have been intrigued to think isn’t this correct
: UNLESS YOU GO TO SCHOOL TOMMOROW , YOU WONT BE MARKED ABSENT
:IF YOU GO TO SCHOOL TOMMOROW YOU WONT BE MARKED ABSENT
THANKS