Unless

  • B1 · Intermediate
  • Grammar lesson
  • 60 min

unless = if … not, for rules and real conditions: You can't cancel unless you give thirty days' notice. From a radio advice show about a gym contract to a role-play where you find out what the fine print really says.

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unless= if … notunless it rains

What's in the lesson

  1. 1Warm-up
  2. 2In this lesson
  3. 3Listen: Money QuestionsListening comprehension
  4. 4What does it mean?Grammar exercise
  5. 5Find unlessGrammar exercise
  6. 6unlessGrammar rule
  7. 7Rules: match the halvesGrammar exercise
  8. 8Which is correct?Grammar exercise
  9. 9Say it with unlessGrammar exercise
  10. 10Questions for your teacherGrammar exercise
  11. 11Say it naturallySpeaking practice
  12. 12Read the fine printSpeaking practice
  13. 13About youGrammar exercise
  14. 14Wrap-up

Homework

  1. 1Homework: the apartment leaseGrammar exercise
  2. 2Homework: the same meaningGrammar exercise
  3. 3Homework: build the sentencesGrammar exercise
  4. 4Homework: the fine printDiscussion

Two slides from the lesson

Warm-up

Some questions about you before we start.

  1. When did you last sign a contract, for a phone, an apartment or a gym? Did you read all of it?
  2. Have you ever paid a fee that surprised you?
  3. Is there anything that you do only on special occasions?

Grammar rule

unless

unless = if … not (except if)

With unlessThe same with if … not
You can't use the pool unless you shower first.You can't use the pool if you don't shower first.
Unless the subway is late, I get to work at nine.If the subway isn't late, I get to work at nine.
I'll come to the game unless I have to work.I'll come to the game if I don't have to work.
  • After unless: the present simple (or the present perfect), even about the future: unless it snows tomorrow.
  • The other part: the present simple, will, can, or an order (Don't…).
  • Either part can come first. Use a comma when unless comes first.
  • A short answer: "Is the museum free?" "Not unless you're a student."

Watch out

  • unless already means if … not, so no extra not: unless you don't pay → unless you pay, or if you don't pay.
  • No will after unless: unless it will snow → unless it snows.
  • unless means except if: it gives the one situation that changes the result. For a feeling about something that doesn't happen, use if … not: I'll be sad if you don't come. (not unless you come)

Teach it live with video and a whiteboard, or print it: the PDF has every slide, the homework and the answers.

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← Unit 1The zero conditional