Syntax - přednášky

The horse fell. If it had not fallen, it would have won the race.

3. Only UNLESS – afterthought

The horse won easily. No one could have overtaken him – unless it had fallen.

• Syntactic mark “-“ = dash

• Nikdo ho nemohl předběhnout – leda že by spadl.

I couldn’t have got to the meeting on time – unless I had caught an earlier train.

• Nemohl jsem se dostavit včas – leda že bych byl chytil dřívější trak.

• = I didn’t get to the meeting.

I couldn’t have got to the meeting on time if I hadn’t caught an earlier train.

• Na schůzku bych se nedostal včas, kdybych byl nestihl dřívější vlak.

• = I got there.

Tick the sentences where we could use either IF NOT or UNLESS (interchangeable when we deal with actions; only unless -> in an after-thought, with dash)

1. I won´t do it if you don´t help me. → correct

2. Unless he chooses his words more carefully, he´ll be in trouble. → correct

3. She´d have more friends if she didn´t criticise everyone so much.→ if not

4. I´ll be surprised if they don´t get married one day. → if not

5. She couldn´t have stolen the jewels unless she had had inside help. → correct

6. She couldn´t have stolen the jewels – unless of course someone had helped her. → unless

7. I´d be very pleased with this car if it didn´t break down all the time. → if not

Supply IF NOT or UNLESS in these sentences. Note where you could use either.

1 (you/tell) ……………………me the whole story, I won´t be able to help you.

→ Unless you (If you don't) tell me the whole story, I won´t be able to help you. BOTH

2 He would be happier and healthier (he/have) ……………so many worries.

→ He would be happier and healthier if he hadn't so many worries.

3 We couldn´t have caught the plane – (we/break) ………. the speed limit getting to the airport.

→ We couldn´t have caught the plane - unless we had broken the speed limit getting to the airport. ('ledaže, byli bývali')

4 (management and unions/become) ……………………………. more flexible, there´ll be a lot more strike.

→ Unless management and unions become (If management and unions won't become) more flexible, there´ll be a lot more strike. → BOTH

5 I´ll be there by 7 o´clock (I/get held up) ………………………………….in the traffic.

→ I´ll be there by 7 o´clock If I don't get held up (unless I get held up) in the traffic. → BOTH

6 (we/have) …………………………. more rain soon, the plants will all die.

→ Unless we have (If we don't have) more rain soon, the plants will all die. → BOTH

7 (you/not warn) …………………………. me, I would have fallen into the same trap as you.

→ If you hadn't warned me, I would have fallen into the same trap as you. → Hypothetical (unreal) condition referring to the past comes first – that’s why we can use only “If not”

Adverbial clauses

TIME

When, while, as soon as, as long as …

After she got married, Eve changed completely.