How do you use the word "unless" in a sentence?

Q: How do you use the word "unless" in a sentence?

Here are real-life examples of using "unless": Don't stay in bed, unless you can make money in bed. People are often quite skeptical about things unless given believable proof.

Unless Meaning

/ənˈlɛs/

Definition, CEFR level A1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

Definition

conjExcept on a specified condition; if not.

conjIf not; used with counterfactual conditionals.

Sentence Examples

Don't stay in bed, unless you can make money in bed.

People are often quite skeptical about things unless given believable proof.

You won't get paid for time off unless you have a doctor's note.

CEFR Practice Quiz

You cannot enter the building ____ you show a valid ID to the guard.

CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)

I won't be able to finish the work on time ____ I get some help from my colleagues this afternoon today.

Word Origin & History

From Middle English unlesse, earlier on lesse (modern on + less), from (not) on lesse (than) (“(not) on a less compelling condition (than)”). The quality of negation in the word and the lack of stress changed on to un-.

Literary Quotations & Historical Citations

"Secondly, When a body is once in motion it will continue to move forever, unless something stops it. When a ball is struck on the surface of the earth, the friction of the earth and the resistance of the air soon stop its motion." — 1839, Denison Olmsted, A Compendium of Astronomy, page 95:

"Unless someone like you...cares a whole awful lot...nothing is going to get better...It's not." — 1971, Dr. Seuss, The Lorax:

"And Joab said, As God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother." — 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 2 Samuel 2:27:

"Lie down and finish out the night, since you are here; but, for heaven's sake! don't repeat that horrid noise: nothing could excuse it, unless you were having your throat cut!" — 1847, Emily Brontë, chapter III, in Wuthering Heights:

Explore More A1 Vocabulary Words