tensy

Unless: Tensy

Level 4

Tensy means unless and sends the verb to the end: Ons gaan stap, tensy dit reën. (We are going for a walk, unless it rains.)

How It Works

1. Unless means if ... not. These two sentences say the same thing:

  • Ons gaan stap, tensy dit reën. (We are going for a walk, unless it rains.)
  • Ons gaan stap as dit nie reën nie. (We are going for a walk if it does not rain.)

2. No nie in the tensy clause. Tensy already carries the negative idea, so standard written Afrikaans does not add nie after it. In casual speech some people do add one, but learners should leave it out: tensy dit reën, not tensy dit nie reën nie.

3. The main clause can be negative. Then it gets its own nie ... nie, and the second nie comes before the tensy clause: Moenie my bel nie, tensy dit dringend is. (Don't call me unless it is urgent.) See double negation across clauses.

4. Word order. The verb in the tensy clause goes to the end. When the tensy clause comes first, the main clause starts with its verb (see starting with a subordinate clause): Tensy jy hard werk, sal jy nie slaag nie.

Examples (5)

  1. Ons gaan môre stap, tensy dit reën.

    We are going for a walk tomorrow, unless it rains.

    Word by Word: We go tomorrow walk, unless it rains.

  2. Tensy jy hard werk, sal jy nie slaag nie.

    Unless you work hard, you won't pass.

    Word by Word: Unless you hard work, shall you not pass not.

    The tensy clause comes first, so the main clause starts with sal. Only the main clause has nie ... nie.

  3. Moenie my bel nie, tensy dit dringend is.

    Don't call me unless it is urgent.

    Word by Word: Don't me call not, unless it urgent is.

  4. Die hek bly gesluit, tensy 'n onderwyser dit oopmaak.

    The gate stays locked unless a teacher opens it.

    Word by Word: The gate stays locked, unless a teacher it opens.

  5. Ek eet nie vis nie, tensy my ma dit kook.

    I don't eat fish unless my mom cooks it.

    Word by Word: I eat not fish not, unless my mom it cooks.

Common Mistakes

  • Adding nie inside the tensy clause.

    Ons gaan stap, tensy dit nie reën nie.
    Ons gaan stap, tensy dit reën.

    Tensy already means if ... not. Some people add nie after it in casual speech, but standard written Afrikaans does not.

  • Keeping the verb in second place after tensy.

    Moenie my bel nie, tensy dit is dringend.
    Moenie my bel nie, tensy dit dringend is.

    Tensy starts a subordinate clause, so its verb goes to the end.

  • Starting the main clause with the subject after a fronted tensy clause.

    Tensy jy hard werk, jy sal nie slaag nie.
    Tensy jy hard werk, sal jy nie slaag nie.

    The tensy clause fills first place, so the main clause starts with its verb.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

tensyLevel 4Unless: Tensy

Learn This First

Tensy means unless.

Words in This Pattern

tensy