English grammar rules: Unless

English grammar rules: Unless Peter: Unless we're there at 8 o'clock we won't get anything to eat! Unless is followed by a subject and verb, like this: Peter: Unless we are there at 8 o'clock… Unless means only if or except if. The second part of the sentence gives the possible result. Peter and Jane will get something to eat only if they arrive before 8. Listen again: Peter: Unless we're there at 8 o'clock we won't get anything to eat! Here's another example: Peter: We'll go by bus unless Jane wants to take a taxi. They will go by bus except if Jane wants to take a taxi. Note that unless is used with a present tense,neven when it has a future meaning. Here's another example: Jane: I'm not going to dance unless you ask me. Jane is only going to dance if Peter asks her.nBe careful with positives and negatives. Listen: Peter I'll go by car unless it's a long way Jane I won't go by car unless it's a long way In the first one, Peter will go by car, except if it's a long way, in which case he'll fly, or take the train or something. In the second one, Jane will go by car only if it's a long way. If it's a short distance, she'll fly or take the train. Listen again: Peter I'll go by car unless it's a long way Jane I won't go by car unless it's a long way To recap, 'unless' with a subject and verb means 'only if' or 'except if' in positive and negative sentences.