Use of If ... not & Unless

Grammar Guide: Use of 'If....Not' & 'Unless'

Prepared by: Shri Sidheshwar Narayan Awad[cite: 6]
Shri Sant Tukaram Jr. College, Malharpeth[cite: 6]

Basic Knowledge: Kinds of Clauses

There are three types of clauses[cite: 6]:

1. Main Clause (प्रधान उपवाक्य)

A clause which is not dependent upon others, and has its own meaning is called a Main Clause[cite: 6].

जे उपवाक्य अर्थाने स्वयंपूर्ण असून ते इतरांवर अर्थासाठी अवलंबून नसते त्यास प्रधान उपवाक्य असे म्हणतात[cite: 6].

Example: If you do not hurry, you will miss the train[cite: 6].

Main Clause: you will miss the train[cite: 6].

2. Co-ordinate Clause (सहाय्यक उपवाक्य)

A clause of two self-dependent sentences connected by a co-ordinating conjunction[cite: 6].

या मध्ये दोन्ही उपवाक्य अर्थाने स्वयंपूर्ण असून ते कॉर्डनिट कंजेक्शने एकमेकांना जोडलेले असतात[cite: 6].

Example: He is a teacher but he works as socialist[cite: 6].

Main Clause: He is a teacher[cite: 6].

Co-Ordinate: He works as socialist[cite: 6].

3. Sub-ordinate Clause (गौन उपवाक्य)

A clause which depends for its meaning upon the main clause is called a sub-ordinate clause[cite: 6].

जे उपवाक्य अर्थ पूर्तीसाठी प्रधान उपवाक्ययावर अवलंबून असते त्यास गगौण उपवाक्य असे म्हणतात[cite: 6].

Example: If you do not hurry, you will miss the train[cite: 6].

Main Clause: You will miss the train[cite: 6].

Sub-Ordinate: If you do not hurry[cite: 6].

Interchange of 'If....Not' to 'Unless'

Rule No. 1: When both clauses are positive

When both the clauses are positive, use unless in place of if and make the main clause negative[cite: 6].

ज्यावेळेस दोन्ही क्लाज होकारार्थी असतील अशा वेळेस IF च्या ठिकाणी UNLESS वापरून प्रधान उपवाक्य हे नकारार्थी बनवावे[cite: 6].

• Q: If you study hard, you will get good marks[cite: 6].
  A: Unless you study hard, you will not get good marks[cite: 6].
• Q: If you pay the tuition fees, you will be allowed to sit in the class[cite: 6].
  A: Unless you pay the tuition fess, you will not be allowed to sit in the class[cite: 6].
• Q: If the student believe upon the teacher, they will get success in their life[cite: 6].
  A: Unless the student believe upon the teacher, they will get success in their life[cite: 6].
• Q: If you have faith, you can do anything[cite: 6].
  A: Unless you have faith, you can not do anything[cite: 6].
• Q: If the son is more educated, the dowry is higher[cite: 6].
  A: Unless the son is more educated, the dowry is not higher[cite: 6].

Rule No. 2: When both clauses are negative

When both the clauses are negative, use unless in place of if and make the subordinate clause positive and put the main clause as it is[cite: 6].

ज्यावेळेस दोन्ही क्लाज हे नकारार्थी असतात तेव्हा IF च्या ठिकाणी UNLESS वापरून तो क्लोज होकारार्थी बनवावा व प्रधान उपवाक्य आहे तसेच ठेवावे[cite: 6].

• Q: If you do not work hard, you will not get success in the exam[cite: 6].
  A: Unless you work hard, you will not get success in the exam[cite: 6].
• Q: If he doesnt study hard, he will not place in the merit list[cite: 6].
  A: Unless he studies hard, he will not place in the merit list[cite: 6].
• Q: The body can not perform any function if there are no specific nutrients[cite: 6].
  A: The body can not perform any function unless there are specific nutrients[cite: 6].
• Q: If you do not collect you examination admission card, you will not allowed to sit in the exam hall[cite: 6].
  A: Unless you collect you examination admission card, you will not allowed to sit in the exam hall[cite: 6].

Rule No. 3: When one of them is negative

When one of them is negative, use unless in place of if and make both the clauses affirmative[cite: 6].

ज्या वेळेस दोन पैकी एक होकारार्थी व दुसरा नकारार्थी असतो अशा वेळेस IF च्या ठिकाणी UNLESS वापरून दोन्ही क्लाज होकारार्थी बनवावेत[cite: 6].

• Q: I shall be thankful if you do not insist on dragging him into court[cite: 6].
  A: I shall be thankful unless you insist on dragging him into court[cite: 6].
• Q: If you are brave, you will not fear[cite: 6].
  A: Unless you are brave, you will fear[cite: 6].
• Q: If you can not behave yourself, you will have to find another job[cite: 6].
  A: Unless you can behave yourself, you will behave to find another job[cite: 6].
• Q: He will be poor if he is not satisfied[cite: 6].
  A: He will be poor unless he is satisfied[cite: 6].
• Q: If i dont study geography, how can I become an expert on birds?[cite: 6].
  A: Unless I study geography, how can I become an expert on birds?[cite: 6].

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