What does unless mean?
Word: Unless
Part of Speech: Conjunction
Meaning: Unless means if not; it tells you that something will happen only when a certain other thing does not happen.
How do you spell unless?
Syllables: un - less
Tricky part: Many children write un less as two words, but it is always one word.
Watch out for: onless, unlees, unlesse
Memory tip: Picture un and less as two train carriages coupled so tightly that no gap is left between them.
Unless in a sentence
Example 1: We will go to the park unless it rains.
Example 2: Don't open the door unless you know who is outside.
Example 3: Unless you water the basil plant, it will dry up.
Fun Fact
In the 1400s people wrote it as two words, on lesse, meaning on a lesser condition. Over time the on changed to un.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Find the misspelt word in the sentence:
Grandma will not start lunch unless evryone has washed their hands.
a) start
b) unless
c) washed
d) evryone
Show answer
d) evryone. Everyone is every plus one, so it keeps the e after the v.
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the correctly spelt word:
a) wheather
b) unless
c) becuase
d) althogh
Show answer
b) unless. Although has ou before gh, because ends in ause, and whether has no a.
Mingle-Mangle
Form a meaningful word from the jumbled letters:
slensu
a) lesson
b) unless
c) useless
d) sunless
Show answer
b) unless. Spot un and then less in the jumble; sunless would need a third s, lesson needs an o, and useless has no n.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word:
unless
a) as if
b) even if
c) if only
d) except if
Show answer
d) except if. Except if and unless both name the one thing that would stop something from happening.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Mum says, 'You cannot play unless you finish your homework.' When can you play?
a) once the homework is done
b) before you start the homework
c) while you do the homework
d) even if some homework is left
Show answer
a) once the homework is done
2. 'The shop stays open unless the owner is away.' When does the shop close?
a) every day at noon
b) on every Sunday
c) whenever it rains hard
d) if its owner is away
Show answer
d) if its owner is away
