Unless is a subordinating conjunction used to mean “if not” or to introduce a condition that would prevent something from happening. It is used to express a negative condition — a situation where something will happen only if another thing does not happen.
The meaning of UNLESS is except on the condition that : under any other circumstance than. How to use unless in a sentence.
We use the conjunction unless to mean ‘except if’. The clause which follows unless is a subordinate clause (sc): it needs a main clause (mc) to make a complete sentence. When unless comes before the main clause, we use a comma: Unless [SC] it rains, [MC] we’ll go for a picnic by the river tomorrow.
(subordinating) except under the circumstances that; except on the condition that: they'll sell it unless he hears otherwise. 1. except under the circumstances that: We'll be there at nine, unless the train is late. prep. 2. except; but; save: Nothing will come of it, unless disaster.
Unless is similar in meaning to if not and can be used instead of if not in certain types of conditional sentences. Like if, unless is followed by a present tense, a past tense, or a past perfect tense. For example: You will not gain high score in IELTS exam unless you learn English every day.
Unless is used to introduce the only situation in which something will take place or be true. In the 1940s, unless she wore gloves a woman was not properly dressed...
Unless means the same as if...not. Like if, unless is followed by a present tense, a past tense, or a past perfect tense (never by a conditional). Unless is used instead of if...not in conditional sentences of all types. The order of the clauses doesn't matter with sentences using unless.