What does unless mean in English?

You can learn unless Pronunciation, Grammar & Synonyms in this most authoritative English Dictionary.

unless Meaning, Definition, Pronunciation, Grammar & Synonyms❤️

0 except if:
- You can't get a job unless you have experience (= you can only get a job if you have experience).
- Unless you call me to say you're not coming, I'll see you at the theatre (= I will see you there if you do not call to say you are not coming).
1 used to say what will or will not happen if something else does not happen or is not true; except if:
- She won’t go unless you go (= If you do not go, she will not go either, but if you go, she will go).
- You can’t get a job unless you’ve got the experience (= You can only get a job if you have experience).

They threatened to kill him unless he did as they asked.
Most wild animals won't attack unless they are provoked.
I can't let you in unless you give the password.
Students are not allowed to handle these chemicals unless they are under the supervision of a teacher.

0 Should you (Should with inversion)

In formal situations, we can use should + subject (s) + verb (v) instead of if:
1 Had you (Had with inversion)

In formal situations, we can use had + subject + verb instead of if in third conditional sentences:
2 +

In formal situations, we can use if + were to when we talk about things that might happen but which we think are unlikely:
3 As long as, so long as, providing, etc.

Sometimes we need to impose specific conditions or set limits on a situation. In these cases, conditional clauses can begin with phrases such as as long as, so long as, only if, on condition that, providing (that), provided (that).
4 Or and otherwise

We often use or and otherwise with conditional meanings: