Word · Frequency #901
unless
除非；如果不
except if; if not
- 1.
Except on a specified condition; if not.
除非在特定条件下；如果不。
- 2.
If not; used with counterfactual conditionals.
如果不；用于反事实条件句。
- 3.
Except if; used with hypothetical conditionals.
除非；用于假设条件句。
除非在特定条件下；如果不。；如果不；用于反事实条件句。；除非；用于假设条件句。；除非
In use
You won't pass the exam unless you study harder.
We'll have the meeting outside unless it rains.
I'll come to the party unless I'm too tired.
unless + present tense clause
unless引导的条件状语从句中，通常用一般现在时表示将来。
You will fail unless you work hard.
除非你努力工作，否则你会失败。
unless + past tense clause (hypothetical)
在虚拟语气中，unless从句可用过去时表示与事实相反。
I wouldn't go unless I were invited.
除非我被邀请，否则我不会去。
not...unless...
主句否定时，unless相当于‘if…not’。
I won't go unless you go with me.
Connections
Collocations
- unless otherwise
- 除非另有
- Unless otherwise stated, all prices are in US dollars.除非另有说明，所有价格均以美元计算。
- unless you
- 除非你
- Unless you study hard, you won't pass the exam.除非你努力学习，否则考试通不过。
- unless it
- 除非它
- Unless it rains, we will go for a walk.除非下雨，否则我们会去散步。
- unless and until
- 除非...否则...（强调）
- We cannot proceed unless and until we receive your approval.除非得到你的批准，否则我们无法进行。
- unless I'm mistaken
- 除非我弄错了
- Unless I'm mistaken, this is the correct address.除非我弄错了，否则这是正确的地址。
- unless specified
Learner notes
Memory Tip
除非 (unless) 由 un- (不) 和 less (少) 组成，意为 '如果不'，想象条件不满足则结果少。
Context & Register
常见场景：条件陈述、正式写作、日常对话 unless 作为连词，多用于引导条件从句，表示'除非'。它既常见于正式书面语，也用于日常口语，但更侧重于表达一个严格的必要条件。
Grammar Note
unless 引导条件状语从句，从句一般用现在时表将来意义。
Pronunciation & Spelling
The words listed all end in '-less', a common spelling pattern. However, only 'less' (and the stressed final syllable of 'unless') is pronounced with /lɛs/; the other compounds typically have a reduced vowel /ɪ/ or /ə/ in the '-less' syllable, so they are lookalikes that sound different from the target's final syllable.
High-value vocabulary
该词属于 Oxford 核心词汇，值得优先掌握常见搭配和句型。
Usage priority
Collins 词频等级为 4，建议结合例句记忆，而不是只背中文释义。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.