A plan can hold unless an exception occurs.

The idea

After a menos que, use the subjunctive for the exception; the main clause states what happens otherwise.

Examples

  • Iremos al parque a menos que llueva.We will go to the park unless it rains.
  • Marta cocinará esta noche a menos que llegue tarde.Marta will cook tonight unless she arrives late.
  • El museo abre mañana a menos que haya una emergencia.The museum opens tomorrow unless there is an emergency.
  • No cambies la reserva a menos que te llamen.Do not change the reservation unless they call you.
  • A menos que encontremos otra ruta, cruzaremos el puente.Unless we find another route, we will cross the bridge.
  • La biblioteca seguirá abierta a menos que falte personal.The library will remain open unless it is short-staffed.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Spanish voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

Do not use the indicative after a menos que, even when the main clause refers to the future.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the correct form. Saldré en bicicleta a menos que ___ mucho viento. (haga / hace)

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    haga

    Haga fits the impersonal weather expression.

  2. Choose the correct form. El equipo no empezará a menos que todos ___. (estén / están)

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    estén

    Estén agrees with everyone in the team.

  3. Choose the correct form. A menos que tú ___ tiempo, pediré ayuda a Leo. (tengas / tienes)

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    tengas

    Tengas addresses the person whose availability matters.

Use it today

Describe a plan and a condition that would prevent it.