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unless

Meaning​

Unless has a similar meaning to if … not, in the sense of ‘except if’.

  • Come tomorrow unless I phone. (= … if I don’t phone / except if I phone.)
  • I’ll take the job unless the pay is too low. (= … if the pay isn’t too low / except if the pay is too low.)
  • I’ll be back tomorrow unless there’s a plane strike.
  • Let’s have dinner out – unless you’re too tired.
  • I’m going to dig the garden this afternoon, unless it rains.

When unless cannot be used​

Unless means ‘except if’; it is not used with other meanings of ‘if … not’. Compare:

  • OK. So we’ll meet this evening at 7.00 – unless my train’s late. (= … except if my train’s late.)
    If my train isn’t late it will be the first time this week. (not Unless my train’s late it will be the first time this week. The meaning is not ‘except if’.)
  • I’ll drive over and see you, unless the car breaks down. (= … except if the car breaks down.)
    I’ll be surprised if the car doesn’t break down soon. (not I’ll be surprised unless the car breaks down soon.)

Tenses​

In clauses with unless, we usually use present tenses to refer to the future (see here).

  • I’ll be in all day unless the office phones. (not … unless the office will phone.)