Fill in the blanks with if or unless.
1Come tomorrow ............... you can.
Wrong!
Use "if" to mean that coming tomorrow depends on being able to come.
2I will take this job ............... the salary is not too low.
Wrong!
Use "if" because taking the job depends on the salary not being too low.
3I will be back in the evening ............... there is a bus strike.
Wrong!
Use "unless" to mean except if there is a bus strike.
4Let's go for a walk, ............... you are too tired.
Wrong!
Use "unless" to mean except if you are too tired.
5I am going to work in the garden this afternoon ............... it rains.
Wrong!
Use "unless" to mean except if it rains.
6............... you don't mend your ways, you will land in trouble.
Wrong!
Use "If" before a negative clause like "you don't mend your ways".
7I won't be able to go ............... you come with me.
Wrong!
Use "unless" to mean if you do not come with me.
8............... you don't stop the music, I will call the police.
Wrong!
Use "If" before the negative condition "you don't stop the music".
9The tax authorities will get you ............... you don't pay the tax.
Wrong!
Use "if" before the negative condition "you don't pay the tax".
10............... you try, you will never win.
Wrong!
Use "Unless" to mean if you do not try.
11............... you don't pay up, you will be in trouble.
Wrong!
Use "If" before the negative condition "you don't pay up".
12............... she is late again, she will be shown the door.
Wrong!
Use "If" because being late again is the condition for being shown the door.
Answers
- Come tomorrow if you can.
- I will take this job if the salary is not too low.
- I will be back in the evening unless there is a bus strike.
- Let’s go for a walk, unless you are too tired.
- I am going to work in the garden this afternoon unless it rains.
- If you don’t mend your ways, you will land in trouble.
- I won’t be able to go unless you come with me.
- If you don’t stop the music, I will call the police.
- The tax authorities will get you if you don’t pay the tax.
- Unless you try, you will never win.
- If you don’t pay up, you will be in trouble.
- If she is late again, she will be shown the door.