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A: He just said he could help B. But right now, he doesn't seem willing to help B.

B: You just said you wanted to help me. Oh, unless you weren't being serious, which I would get. I have been betrayed before.

What does "unless" mean in this dialogue? Doesn't it express something positive because of the double negative. Unless (if not) + weren't serious = serious

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  • By the way, that should be 'he doesn't seem willing" not "he don't seem willing". Jul 8, 2019 at 21:46

1 Answer 1

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What does "unless" mean in this dialogue?

The meaning follows the dictionary definition:

https://www.dictionary.com/browse/unless

conjunction
- except under the circumstances that:
"I'll be there at nine, unless the train is late."

B: You just said you wanted to help me. Oh, unless you weren't being serious,

basically means:

B: You just said you wanted to help me. Oh, except if you weren't being serious. (If you weren't being serious, then you don't really want to help me.)

which mean:

B: You just said you wanted to help me. Oh, except if you were joking. (If you were joking, then you don't really want to help me.)

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