| 释义 |
unlessun‧less /ʌnˈles, ən-/ ●●● S1 W1 conjunction   unlessOrigin: 1400-1500 on less than ‘on a lower condition than’ (1400-1500) - Unless he's a complete idiot, he'll understand.
- Unless the weather improves, we will have to cancel the game.
- Unless you are a military fan, the Pentagon tour isn't very exciting.
- Don't call me at the office unless it's absolutely necessary.
- He must have resigned, unless they fired him.
- Milk quickly turns sour, unless it's refrigerated.
- You won't pass your examinations unless you study hard.
► if used when talking about the possibility that something might happen or be true: · He faces a long prison sentence if the court finds him guilty.· If scientists’ predictions are correct, average global temperatures could rise by 6 degrees. ► unless if something does not happen, or if someone does not do something: · The star is difficult to see unless the sky is very clear.· Doctors said they could not treat the boy unless his parents gave their permission. ► whether or not used when saying that it does not matter if something happens or not, or if something is true or not: · Most people will get better on their own, whether or not they receive medical treatment.· I’m still going, whether she likes it or not. ► otherwise used when saying that there will be a bad result if someone does not do something, or if something does not happen: · Drink plenty of water – otherwise you will become dehydrated. ► in case in order to deal with something that might happen: · She did not think it would rain, but she took her umbrella just in case.· It is best to keep a medical kit ready in case of emergency. ► as long as/provided that only if something else happens or is true: · Visitors are welcome, as long as they bring their own tent.· Anyone can join the course, provided that there is space available.· As long as you can find a computer, you can access an internet-based bank account wherever you are. ► on condition that used when you agree to do something only if someone first agrees to do something else: · He was offered the job on condition that he went on a month-long training course. why something must be true► unless use this to say that you think something is true, because the only other possibility is very unlikely: · He must have resigned, unless they fired him.· Unless he's a complete idiot, he'll understand. ► otherwise use this to say that something must be true, because if it is not true the situation would be different: · She must have missed the train, otherwise she'd be here by now.· It can't have been anything important, otherwise she'd have called back. ► or else use this to say that something must be true, because if it is not, the situation would be different or something very unlikely would be true: · They must have thought everything was safe, or else they would have warned us. if something does not happen► if not · Your car should be ready by 12 o'clock, but if not I'll let you know.· If you don't leave now, I'll call the police.· Try these gloves on. If they're not the right size I'll take them back.if not, why not? spoken (=used to ask why something has not happened or why someone has not done something) · Have you done your homework yet? If not, why not? ► unless use this to say that something will happen if something else does not change the situation: · Unless the weather improves, we will have to cancel the game.· You won't pass your examinations unless you study hard.· Milk quickly turns sour, unless it's refrigerated. ► otherwise use this when there will be a bad result if someone does not do something or if something does not happen: · Stir the sauce until it cools, otherwise it will be lumpy.· I'm glad you told me about the show being cancelled. Otherwise I'd have travelled all the way to Glasgow for nothing. ► or/or else use this when you are warning someone what will happen if they do not do what you are telling them to do: · Be careful or you'll bump your head.· Stop making so much noise or else the neighbours will start complaining. ► without use this when you cannot do something if you do not do something else first: · No one can succeed in business without taking certain risks.· How can you judge a book without reading it? ► barring use this when something will happen or continue in the way that you want, if something does not happen to prevent it: · Barring unexpected delays, work on the tunnel should be completed by the end of next month. ► before use this when you are saying what someone must do if they want to stop something bad from happening: · Put that money somewhere safe before it gets stolen.· That dog ought to be destroyed before it attacks any more children. ► failing that use this when you are saying what you will do if the first thing you suggested is not possible: · My mother wanted me to be a teacher or, failing that, a nurse.· Dr Schwabe said he could find me a room either on the campus, or failing that, in a house nearby. ► not unless- But she can never entirely master a human soul - not unless you consent to it!
- Fedorov, not unless you see special reason.
- No, not unless you consider billionaire investor Warren Buffet a sucker.
- Nobody but nobody commented on Maggie's shapely form - not unless they wanted acid dripping on them from that sharp tongue.
- Nowhere to land, not unless you had a spaceship.
- She couldn't think how she was going to enter the Commercial Hotel, not unless accompanied or pushed.
- The old man had gone to bed with instructions not to be disturbed, not unless the plan failed.
1used 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 thesaurus at if2 not unless only if: ‘Will you go with her?’ ‘Not unless she wants me to.’GRAMMAR: Choosing the right tense• You use the simple present tense with unless: · Unless the government changes its policy, the economic situation will get worse.• Don’t use ‘will’ in the clause after unless. ✗Don’t say: Unless the government will change its policy ...• You can also use the present perfect tense with unless: · I won’t change anything unless someone has asked me to. ✗Don’t say: unless someone will have asked me to | unless someone will ask me to• To talk about the past, use the simple past with unless: · Unless the company got a loan, it would go bankrupt.· They threatened to kill him unless he gave them the money. ✗Don’t say: Unless the company would get a loan ...USAGE: Unless, in case, or else• You use unless when saying that if something does not happen, something else will happen: · Unless I hear from you (=if I don’t hear from you), I’ll assume everything’s OK.• You use in case when saying that you do something in order to be prepared if something happens: · Take a sweater in case you get cold.• You use or else when saying that something bad will happen if you do not do something: · You’d better go now, or else you’ll miss the train. |