Look at these sentences:
La date est arrêtée à moins que nous ne changions nos plans.The date is set unless we change our plans.
To express unless + verb (= unless you do it) in French is a bit more complicated:
à moins que + subject + ne explétif + the verb in Le Subjonctif Présent or Le Subjonctif Passé
Note that in speech, the ne explétif can be dropped.
Je l'aiderai à moins que vous ne le fassiez.
See What is the ne explétif and when to use it in French
as well as other similar expressions using subordinating conjunctions:
Sans que (+ ne explétif) + subjunctive (Le Subjonctif) = Without doing in French
Avant que + ne explétif + subjunctive (Le Subjonctif) = Before I do in French
De peur que + ne explétif + subjunctive (Le Subjonctif) = for fear that in French
Want to make sure your French sounds confident? We’ll map your knowledge and give you free lessons to focus on your gaps and mistakes. Start your Braimap today »
