Unless Clauses Exercises
B1-B2 Level
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A common mistake is using a negative verb after "unless" — since "unless" already contains the negative meaning, adding "not" creates a confusing double negative. Say "unless you study" (not "unless you don't study"). "Unless" works best with the zero conditional (general truths) and the first conditional (real future): "Unless the weather improves, the match will be cancelled." It is less natural with the third conditional — for past regrets, "if...not" is the better choice. "Unless" is less common but possible in the second conditional for unlikely scenarios: "Unless they offered me double the salary, I wouldn't move." Learning when to use "unless" instead of "if...not" will make your English sound more confident and natural, and it is regularly tested in Cambridge B1 Preliminary and B2 First exams.
Quick Rule
Unless + positive verb = If + negative verb
- 1.Unless you leave now, you'll miss the bus. (= If you don't leave now...)
- 2.I won't go unless you come with me. (= I won't go if you don't come...)
- 3.Unless it rains, we'll have the party outside.
- 4.She won't pass unless she studies harder.
- 5.Unless there's a problem, I'll see you at 8.
All 20 questions
Rewrite each sentence using 'unless'. Remember: unless = if...not. Keep the same meaning. Rewrite using 'unless':
If you don't study harder, you won't pass the exam.
If it doesn't stop raining, we'll cancel the picnic.
If you don't come with me, I won't go to the party.
If you don't hurry, you'll miss the train.
She won't get the job if she doesn't have the right qualifications.
If we don't leave now, we'll be late for the meeting.
You can't enter the building if you don't show your ID.
If the weather doesn't improve, the match will be cancelled.
I won't buy a new phone if my old one doesn't break.
If you don't apologise, she won't forgive you.
The plants will die if you don't water them regularly.
If they don't reduce their prices, they'll lose customers.
You won't understand the lesson if you don't pay attention.
If we don't find a solution soon, the problem will get worse.
He won't improve if he doesn't practise every day.
If you don't have a ticket, you won't be allowed to enter.
The children can't go outside if they don't finish their homework.
If the government doesn't take action, unemployment will continue to rise.
You won't lose weight if you don't change your diet.
If we don't act now, it will be too late to save the environment.
Continue Practising
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