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Tomomi
What does 'Not unless' mean?
What does 'Not unless' mean?
The sentence is below.
'Shall I tell Liz what happened?' 'Not unless she asks you.'
Is 'Not unless' meaning of 'No, unless...'?
If so, why is it used 'Not'?
Thanks in advance!
28. Feb. 2015 04:16
Antworten · 5
1
Yes, "Not unless" means the same as "No, unless." The sentence "No, unless she asks you" would be well-understood.
"Not unless" is a shorter way to say "You should not, unless"; and the sentence "You should not, unless she asks you" would also be correct here.
However when two people are speaking, it is not necessary to specify the other person as "you", so English speakers usually drop that word. Using a longer version would sound less natural to an English-speaking listener; but the sentence would still be understood.
Another time English speakers drop the word "you" is in imperative sentences, commands, such as "Do not tease the cat."
28. Februar 2015
Thank you for your comment^^
28. Februar 2015
Synonymous expression: "only if."
28. Februar 2015
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Tomomi
Sprachfähigkeiten
Englisch, Japanisch
Lernsprache
Englisch
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