STATING NECESSARY CONDITIONS WARNING ABOUT CONSEQUENCES USING UNLESS Unless means if not. Example: They're going to go bankrupt if they don't restructure. They're going to go bankrupt unless they restructure. Unless introduces the only condition that can change the actions or events stated in the main clause. Their restructuring is a necessary condition if they hope to avoid going bankrupt. In terms of grammar – * the main clause (subject + verb) * will be the inevitable consequence * if the subordinate action (unless + subject + verb) * is not taken. Example: He won't advance in that company if he doesn't improve his English. He won't advance in that company unless he improves his English. NOTE: Do not use unless when the main clause is in the simple present or simple past. Unless always has future tension. * Use the future tense or a modal auxiliary such as can't, shouldn't, or wouldn't in the main clause. * Use the simple present tense after unless. [1] Incorrect - He doesn't advance in that company unless he improves his English. He didn't advance in that company unless he improved his English. Correct - He won't advance unless he improves his English. – or - He can't advance unless he improves his English. STATING NECESSARY CONDITIONS WARNING ABOUT CONSEQUENCES Exercises Directions: Express the consequences in each sentence using unless. 1. He won't be promoted if doesn't work harder. 2. My client won’t go for such a risky deal if the other parties don’t agree to binding arbitration. 3. You can't drive a car in most states in the US. if you don't have insurance. 4. We'll never make it on time if we don't leave now. 5. Some law firms won’t hire corporate lawyers if they are not CPAs. [2] 6. She can't go back to school if she doesn't have the money. 7. You can't be successful at that firm [3] . . . . 8. A company can't be successful in my country. . . . STATING NECESSARY CONDITIONS WARNING ABOUT CONSEQUENCES Answers to Exercises Directions: Express the consequences in each sentence using unless. 1. He won't be promoted if doesn't work harder. He won't be promoted unless he works harder. 2. My client won’t go for such a risky deal if the other parties don’t agree to binding arbitration. My client won’t go for such a risky deal unless the other parties agree to binding arbitration. 3. You can't drive a car in most states in the US. if you don't have insurance. You can't drive a car in most states unless you have insurance. 4. We'll never make it on time if we don't leave now. We'll never make it on time unless we leave now. 5. Some law firms won’t hire corporate lawyers if they are not CPAs. Some law firms won’t hire corporate lawyers unless they are CPAs. 6. She can't go back to school if she doesn't have the money. She can't go back to school unless she has the money. 7. You can't be successful at that law firm. . . . You can't be successful at that firm unless … you bill 2,500 or more hours each year. you bring in a lot of new business. 8. A company can't be successful in my country. . . . A company can't be successful in my country unless (it works closely with the government). ________________________________ [1] Even though unless has future tension – and describes future time – you cannot use “will” after unless. This is due to the overriding rule in English grammar that allows will in the main clause only. Another example of this usage is – “I will tell him when I see him.” (will tell = main clause; when introduces a subordinate clause, which requires the use of “see” in the present tense, even though the time is future.) [2] CPA = Certified Public Accountant [3] In exercise numbers 7 and 8, test your own responses. Some possible answers are on the answer sheet.