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ESL forum >
Grammar and Linguistics > unless + a negative construction
unless + a negative construction
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IbuLulu
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I �m with Mariethe. Her reasoning is sound and I agree that rules don �t always capture how native speakers use language. I think her first option is best, that is what I would have said (ie unless he works fewer hours he won �t be able to help us). |
10 May 2012
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almaz
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Yes, don �t shout at poor Mariethe! There does exist something in English (as in many other languages, of course) called NEGATIVE CONCORD!!!!
Marking negation twice is often used used emphatically in standard English ("Raise your voice? Not here you won �t!") and in non-standard ("I can �t get no satisfaction"). There may be two grammatical negatives, but there �s only one semantic one. I know I �ve occasionally come across �unless � with a negative verb in casual speech. |
10 May 2012
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aldonza
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Wow!!
How interesting your comments are!.
Thanks a lot
Cheers
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10 May 2012
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dafodil
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"Very often unless can be used instead of if not. Come tomorrow if I don �t phone/ unless I phone. He � �ll accept the job if the salary �s not too low/unless the salary is too low. She would be pretty if she didn �t wear so much make-up. (Unless is impossible). A will be result from B not happening" (Swam, 1986: 610) Swam, M. (1986; eleventh edition). Practical English Usage".Oxford: Oxford University Press. Therefore, Unless your uncle worked extra hours, he would be able to help us or He would be able to help us unless your uncle worked extra hours. If your uncle didn�t work extra hours, he wouldn�t be able to help us.
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10 May 2012
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miyoko71
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unless=if not.so the answer would be:
UNLESS he worked extra hours,my uncle wouldn �t be able to help us |
10 May 2012
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yanogator
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Actually, miyoko71, that �s just the opposite of what it should be, since it �s saying that he would be able to help if he worked extra hours. Bruce |
10 May 2012
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Apodo
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IMHO Some people are confusing the meaning:
The given sentence means:
The uncle works extra hours therefore he has no time to help.
Some are assuming that extra hours means more money which means he can help with money. |
10 May 2012
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alien boy
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personally, I find Swan �s explanation on �unless � (esction 601) to be amongst the most confusing in his coverage of English usage....
let �s break down his examples & see if it helps...
OK So we �ll meet this evening at 7.00 - unless my train �s late. (= We �ll meet this evening at 7.00 except if my train �s late.)
Desired/planned outcome: We �ll meet at 7.00
Condition: if my train is on time (i.e. if my train is not late)
In this case you can use unless beccause you are talking about �except... if � - a case of stating the exception to negate your plans.
Unless my train �s late, we �ll meet at 7.00 � is acceptable & correct.
My wife will be angry if I �m not home by 7.00. (NOT my wife will be angry
unless I get home by 7.00. - She will be angry because I �m not home.)
This is a �because... if � situation according to Swan (it could be argued that is may also be an �except... if � situation too)
Outcome: my wife will be angry
Condition: because I am not home by 7.00
Because I will be home after 7.00 my wife will be angry.
personally I think this is a very poor example to use.... because you can view it this way:
Outcome: My wife will be angry
Condition: if I am home after 7.00 (if am not home by 7.00)
UnlessI am home before 7.00 my wife will be angry.
a lot may depend on which type of English you speak ;)
I �ll drive over and see you, unless the car breaks down. (= ... except if the car
breaks down.)
Outcome: I �ll drive over to see you
Condition: if my car keeps working (if my car does not break down)
Unless my car breaks down I will come over and see you.
I �ll be surprised if the car doesn �t break down soon (NOT I �ll be surprised
unless the car breaks down soon. - I �ll be surprised because it doesn �t
break down.)
Outcome: I �ll be surprised
Condition: if the car keeps working (if the car does not break down soon)
Because my car keeps working (has not broken down) I am surprised.
so, that brings us down to your uncle...
My uncle would be able to help us if he didn�t work extra hours
Outcome: My uncle would be able to help us
Condition: if he worked fewer hours (i.e. if he did not work extra hours.)
Unless my uncle doesn�t work extra hours he would be able to help us. (edit: this is VERY clumsy & would be better stated as �Unless my uncle works fewer hours he will not be able to help us.�)
Hope that helps a little...
Cheers,
AB
p.s. Mariethe �s right on the money!
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10 May 2012
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