2

I found conflicting information about the subject: BBC World Service states that:

And we cannot use unless with would to talk about unreal future situations:

  • If he didn't take everything so seriously, he would be much easier to work with.

  • If he weren't so bad-tempered, I would help him to get the work done.

We cannot use unless with would have to talk about unreal situations in the past either:

  • If you hadn't driven so recklessly, you wouldn't have had this accident.

  • If you hadn't had that last glass of wine, this would never have happened.

While Education first website shows usage in all conditionals. What is correct then?

Why I cannot find anything about this usage besides that BBC website?

Improve this question
1
0

Here's another warning against usage of 'unless' for impossible conditions:

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/grammar/british-grammar/conditionals-and-wishes/conditionals-other-expressions-unless-should-as-long-as

As for Education First vs BBC, the former is Sweden-based (according to Wikipedia). Not sure if the usage of 'unless' differs in AE though.

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .