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.
1Unless you work hard, you ............... win.
Wrong!
Use "cannot" because "unless" means "if not" in this warning.
2Unless the boys work hard, they ............... fail.
Wrong!
Use "will" because the negative meaning is already included in "unless".
3Unless you ............... early, you will get stuck in traffic.
Wrong!
Use "start" because the present simple follows "unless" for a real future condition.
4Unless you hire a taxi, you ............... miss the train.
Wrong!
Use "will" because "Unless you hire a taxi" means "If you do not hire a taxi".
5............... you obey my orders, you will be dismissed.
Wrong!
Use "Unless" because the sentence means you will be dismissed if you do not obey the orders.
6Unless you take an umbrella, you ............... get wet.
Wrong!
Use "will" because "unless" already gives the negative condition.
7Unless you work hard, you ............... pass the examination.
Wrong!
Use "won't" because the result is negative if the condition is not met.
8Unless we receive enough rain, there ............... be a shortage of electricity.
Wrong!
Use "will" because the shortage is the result if enough rain does not come.
9Unless Gopal ............... a good doctor, his condition may get worse.
Wrong!
Use "consults" because we do not normally add another negative after "unless".
10Unless they come early, they ............... get the tickets.
Wrong!
Use "won't" because they will not get the tickets if they do not come early.
Done.
Score: 0/10
Answers
- Unless you work hard, you cannot win.
- Unless the boys work hard, they will fail.
- Unless you start early, you will get stuck in traffic.
- Unless you hire a taxi, you will miss the train.
- Unless you obey my orders, you will be dismissed.
- Unless you take an umbrella, you will get wet.
- Unless you work hard, you won’t pass the examination.
- Unless we receive enough rain, there will be a shortage of electricity.
- Unless Gopal consults a good doctor, his condition may get worse.
- Unless they come early, they won’t get the tickets.
