I. Unless

Cấu trúc

Unless + S + V, S + will + V

S + will + V + unless + S + V

→ Nghĩa: trừ khi / nếu không thì
→ Tương đương: If … not

 

Ví dụ

Unless you study hard, you will fail the exam.

You will fail the exam unless you study hard.

Unless it stops raining, we won’t go out.

I won’t forgive you unless you apologize.

Unless she leaves now, she will miss the bus.

 

Lưu ý

• • Không dùng not sau unless
    Unless you don’t hurry (sai)

  • Bằng nghĩa if not:
    Unless you hurry, you will be late.
    = If you do not hurry, you will be late.

 

II. But for

Cấu trúc

But for + N / N phrase, S + would/could/might + V1 / have V3

→ Nghĩa: nếu không nhờ / nếu không vì
→ Thường dùng trong câu điều kiện loại 2 hoặc 3 (giả định).

 

Ví dụ

But for your help, I would fail the exam.

But for the rain, we would have gone out.

But for her support, he couldn’t have succeeded.

But for the traffic jam, we would be on time.

But for this medicine, he might have died.

 

Lưu ý

• • Theo sau but for là danh từ, không phải mệnh đề 
    But for it rained (sai)

  • Bằng nghĩa với
    If it hadn’t been for…

Ví dụ:
[if 3] But for your help, I would have failed.
= If it hadn’t been for your help, I would have failed.

[if 2] But for your help, I would fail.
= If it weren’t for your help, I would fail.

 

III. Otherwise

Cấu trúc

S + V. Otherwise, S + would/will + V.

V (dạng mệnh lệnh) , otherwise S + will + V.

→ Nghĩa: nếu không thì / bằng không

 

Ví dụ

Study hard; otherwise, you will fail the exam.

Hurry up. Otherwise, we will be late.

Wear a coat; otherwise, you will catch a cold.

He worked hard; otherwise, he would have lost his job.

Call her now; otherwise, she will be worried.

 

Phân biệt:

 

Ví dụ

• Unless you hurry, you will be late.
  → Nếu bạn không nhanh lên, bạn sẽ trễ

• But for the traffic, we would be on time.
  → Nếu không vì giao thông, tôi đã đúng giờ

• Hurry up, otherwise you will be late.
  → Mau lên, nếu không thì trễ

 

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Exercises – Bài tập