Unless means if not. It expresses a condition and its possible consequences. An example is given below.
- You have to give me the keys of the safe. Otherwise, you will be shot.
- Unless you give me the keys of the safe, you will be shot.
- If you do not give me the keys of the safe, you will be shot.
Exercise
Fill in the blanks.
1. Unless you work hard, you ...................................... win.
Correct!
Wrong!
2. Unless the boys work hard, they .......................................... fail.
Correct!
Wrong!
3. Unless you .......................................... early, you will get stuck in the traffic.
Correct!
Wrong!
4. Unless you hire a taxi, you .............................................. miss the train.
Correct!
Wrong!
5. .............................................. you obey my orders, you will be dismissed.
Correct!
Wrong!
6. Unless you take an umbrella, you ........................................ get wet.
Correct!
Wrong!
7. Unless you work hard, you ........................................... pass the examination.
Correct!
Wrong!
8. Unless we receive enough rain, there ............................................. be a shortage of electricity.
Correct!
Wrong!
9. Unless Gopal ........................................... a good doctor his condition may get worse.
Correct!
Wrong!
10. Unless they come early, they ............................................... get the tickets.
Correct!
Wrong!
Answers
1. Unless you work hard, you cannot win.
2. Unless the boys work hard, they will fail.
3. Unless you start early, you will get stuck in the traffic.
4. Unless you hire a taxi, you will miss the train.
5. Unless you obey my orders, you will be dismissed.
6. Unless you take an umbrella, you will get wet.
7. Unless you work hard, you won’t pass the examination.
8. Unless we receive enough rain, there will be a shortage of electricity.
9. Unless Gopal consults a good doctor his condition may get worse.
10. Unless they come early, they won’t get the tickets.
