English Exercises > conjunctions exercises

Until vs. unless




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Until � vs.� Unless

Until���� O will only occur once X is done (the longer it takes to do X, the longer it will be until O happens. i.e. O happens immediately after X.)
-------------------X-->O
-------------------------------------------X-->O
-------------------------------------------------------------------------X-->O
Example 1: He never caught a fish until his father showed him how.� (Once his father showed him how to catch fish [X], he caught one [O].)
Example 2: We can't use the playground until they catch the snake that is out there. (Playing on the playground�[O] will not occur until catching the snake [X] occurs.)

Unless��� If X is not done, O will not occur. (X may occur anytime before O.)
-------------------------------------------------------------- --> O�� (O doesn't happen, because X didn't happen.)
------------------------------X------------------------------ --> O
------------------------------------------------------X------ --> O
----X-------------------------------------------------------- --> O
Example: He never would have caught any fish unless his father had shown him how.� (He would have gone on failing forever -- situation shown on top line -- if he had not been taught how to fish. Sometime after being taught, he succeeded in catching one [O occurred].)
Example 2: We can't use the playground unless they have already caught the snake.� (If X - catching the snake - occurred at some point in the past, then O -- playing on the playground -- can happen.)

Practice using until or unless in the following sentences:
���� 1. I won't get a birthday present from Joe� I invite him to my party.
���� 2. My feet get cold� I wear socks.
���� 3. She runs� she is out of breath.
���� 4. I can't go on the field trip� my mom sends in a permission slip before the deadline.
���� 5. I stay in my classroom� it is time to go to P.E.
���� 6. She is not allowed to get her ears pierced� she is 13 years old.
���� 7. I cannot wait� school gets out for the summer.
���� 8. I'm going to Disney World in two weeks� my dad's car is still broken.
���� 9. Sailboats can't move� the wind blows.
���10. He did not come to the cafeteria� lunch was half over.
���11. I will meet you at the theater at 5:00� I have to stay late at work.
�� 12.� you want to be sent to the dean's office, you need to sit down and do your work.
�� 13. He's going to work on�the car� it runs properly.
�� 14. They played at the pool� the storm�came and the lifeguard told everyone to get out.
�� 15. Our dog jumped on visitors� we took a dog obedience course and�taught him�to "stay."
�� 16. I'm not going to be able to afford to go on�the trip� I win the lottery.