See Also:

unless (oh)



[Date: 1400-1500; Origin: on less than 'on a lower condition than' (1400-1500)]
used to say that something will happen or be true if something else does not happen or is not true
::Unless some extra money is found, the theatre will close.
::I think you should complain - unless, of course, you are happy with the way things are.
::He won't go to sleep unless you tell him a story.
::I can't leave her unless I know she's all right.
see usage note except 1
not unless
only if
::'Will you go with her?' 'Not unless she wants me to.'
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WORD CHOICE: unless, if ... not, in case, or (else)
Use unless to say that something will happen or be true if something else does not happen or is not true : Unless they get protection, they will not testify.
!! Do not use the future tense after unless : I won't go unless you go (NOT unless you will go).
!! Do not say 'unless if' : Don't call him unless it's urgent (NOT unless if it's urgent).
Use if ... not when you know that something did not or will not happen : If he had not tripped, he would have won (=but he didn't win). | : I would go out if it wasn't raining (=but it is raining, so I am not going out).
Use in case when talking about something that is or should be done because something might happen : Take a sweater in case you get cold (NOT unless you get cold).
Use or or or else to say what bad thing will definitely happen if something else does not happen : You'd better go, or else you'll miss the train (NOT unless you miss the train).