Difference between ‘Unless’ & ‘Until’.

Finished watching the lesson, now it’s time to test how much you’ve learned from this lesson. Take the quiz below :

1. I will wait for John ________ he comes.

 unless

 until

2. You can wear your new shoes _______ it rains.

 unless

 until

3. We are on holiday ______ next week.

 unless

 until

4. He won’t buy you anything _______ you tell him to.

 unless

 until

5. _______ he was very ill, he would be at work.

 Unless

 Until

6. They did not come ______ the meeting was half over.

 unless

 until

7. _______ I complete the home-work please don’t switch-on the T.V.

 unless

 until

8. He will not come to your home _____ you go to his.

 unless

 until

9. They wouldn’t all be there _____ something terrible

 unless

 until

10. Why would a person want to keep their business secret ______ it.

 unless

 until

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Question 1 of 10

In this English grammar lesson, you will learn how to use ‘until’ and ‘unless’ and their usage in a sentence. These two words are very commonly used in Spoken English. Often, many get confused and use them interchangeably. The two words cannot be used interchangeably as their meaning and usage in a sentence are very different from each other.

Unless: means ‘except if’. It is used in the context of a precondition and it actually means ‘if the condition is not met..’ Do not use ‘will’ immediately after ‘unless’.

• Example: Can you turn the radio off unless you are listening to it. ( except if)
• Example: Unless you pay now, we cannot guarantee you a ticket. (Do not use ‘unless you will pay now..’)
• Example: Harry never ate kebabs, unless he prepared them himself.
• Example: The bank will not provide you a loan unless you show then your original identity.

Until: up to a particular time. It is used in context of time. It is more formal than ‘till’.

• Example: I listen to music until I fall asleep. (till the time)
• Example: Please wait in the waiting room until they call your name.
• Example: He waited patiently until dinner was served.
• Example: Wait here until I come back.