Grammar worksheet: unless  

Unless 
Unless​ means 'except if'. 

We use ​unless​ to say that there may be an exception and that this exception will change the 
situation. 

We're playing tennis tomorrow unless it rains. 

= We're playing tennis tomorrow. However, one exception could change our plans – rain. 

Don't go there unless he tells you to. 

= Don't go there, except if he tells you to go. 

We use the present tense after u

​ nless​ when referring to the future. 

I won’t go to the party unless she invites me. 

unless she will invite 

We don't use u
​ nless​ in conditional sentences. 

We'll cancel tomorrow's tennis match if it rains. 

unless it rains 

More examples 
I’m not going to the party unless you come too. I don’t want to go alone. 
We won’t get a table at the restaurant unless we get there early. 
Unless I’m mistaken, John’s house is the second on the left. 
We can go in the car – unless you’d prefer to walk 
 

Online version of this worksheet: ​https://goo.gl/fv4aih 

More downloads: s
​ peakspeak.com/downloads 

​ ​www.speakspeak.com​ – English grammar and exercises​ 1. 

  

Grammar worksheet: unless  

 

Exercise: Unless vs. if 

 

This exercise tests you on the difference between ​unless a

​ nd​ if. 

Fill the gap in each sentence with ​unless o

​ r​ if. 

1. We won't pay our suppliers ____________ they don't send the goods before Friday. 

2. We won't pay them ____________ they send the goods before Friday. 

3. We’re going for a bike ride this weekend ____________ it rains. 

4. He won’t come ____________ you invite him personally. 

5. The meeting is on Friday at 10 o’clock ____________ you hear otherwise. 

6. ____________ you hear otherwise, the meeting is on Friday at 10 o’clock. 

7. Let’s go out for dinner – ____________ you’re too tired, in which case we can stay at home. 

8. I’ll accept the job ____________ the pay is too low. 

9. I’ll accept the job ____________ they offer me it. 

 
 

 
 
 

​ ​www.speakspeak.com​ – English grammar and exercises​ 2. 

  

Grammar worksheet: unless  

Exercise key 
 

1. We won't pay our suppliers i​ f​ they don't send the goods before Friday. 
2. We won't pay them ​unless​ they send the goods before Friday. 
3. We’re going for a bike ride this weekend u
​ nless​ it rains. 
4. He won’t come u
​ nless​ you invite him personally. 
5. The meeting is on Friday at 10 o’clock u
​ nless​ you hear otherwise. 
6. Unless​ you hear otherwise, the meeting is on Friday at 10 o’clock. 
7. Let’s go out for dinner – u
​ nless​ you’re too tired, in which case we can stay at home. 
8. I’ll accept the job ​unless​ the pay is too low. 
9. I’ll accept the job ​if​ they offer me it. 

 
 

Online version of this exercise: ​https://goo.gl/zeWNvq 

More downloads: s
​ peakspeak.com/downloads 

​ ​www.speakspeak.com​ – English grammar and exercises​ 3.