grammar · neutral

unless + clause

Band 6-7speakingtask2

Introduces a negative condition; means 'except if' or 'if not'.

Examples

“I won't go to the party unless you invite me.”

“You can't pass the exam unless you study.”

“Unless we leave now, we will miss the train.”

Band 8 sentence

“Unless governments coordinate policies internationally, efforts to tackle climate change will remain fragmented.”

Collocations

  • unless + clause
  • not ... unless ...

Common mistakes

Unless you don't study, you will fail.→Unless you study, you will fail.

You will pass unless you will study.→You will pass unless you study.

Say it for a higher band

5if not→6if→7+unless

Synonyms

if not

Easily confused

if not

“I'll come unless it rains.”

Related words

have / has + past participlesubject + V(s) (simple present)be about to + base verbbe + V-ingso + adjective/adverb + that + clauseIf + present perfect, will + base verbNot only + clause, but also + clausewill have been + V-ing

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In Tenses

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