a menos que/a não ser que + Subjunctive
Unless
A menos que and a não ser que are conditional conjunctions meaning 'unless.' They introduce a single exception that would change the outcome of the main sentence.
How It Works
In Portuguese, expressing a negative condition ('unless') is done through a menos que or a não ser que.
1. Register and Usage:
- A não ser que: The most common and idiomatic choice for daily conversation.
- A menos que: Slightly more formal, common in writing and journalism.
2. The Subjunctive Requirement:
Because these conjunctions introduce a hypothetical exception or a condition that hasn't happened yet, they must be followed by the subjunctive.
3. Tense Selection:
Unlike the word se (if), which uses the Future Subjunctive for future possibilities, a menos que uses the Present Subjunctive for the future.
Example: 'Vou, a menos que chova' (I'm going, unless it rains).
If the context is hypothetical or in the past, use the Imperfect Subjunctive.
Example: 'Eu não teria ido, a não ser que ele pedisse' (I wouldn't have gone unless he asked).
Examples (4)
- Não comprarei o carro, a menos que o preço baixe.
I won't buy the car unless the price drops.
Word by Word: Not I will buy the car, unless that the price lowers.
Uses the Present Subjunctive 'baixe' to refer to a future condition.
- Nós vamos à praia amanhã, a não ser que esteja frio.
We are going to the beach tomorrow, unless it is cold.
Word by Word: We go to the beach tomorrow, unless that it be cold.
'A não ser que' is the most natural way to say 'unless' in spoken Portuguese.
- Eu não ligaria para ele, a menos que fosse uma emergência.
I wouldn't call him unless it were an emergency.
Word by Word: I not would call for him, unless that it were an emergency.
Uses the Imperfect Subjunctive 'fosse' for a hypothetical situation.
- Eles não aceitam o convite a não ser que você vá também.
They won't accept the invitation unless you go too.
Word by Word: They not accept the invitation unless that you go also.
The verb 'ir' changes to 'vá' in the Present Subjunctive.
Common Mistakes
Using the Indicative mood instead of the Subjunctive.
Vou sair a menos que chove.Vou sair a menos que chova.In English, we use the indicative ('it rains'), but Portuguese requires the subjunctive ('chova') after these conjunctions.
Using the Future Subjunctive instead of the Present Subjunctive.
Não vou, a menos que ele vier.Não vou, a menos que ele venha.While 'se' takes the Future Subjunctive (vier), 'a menos que' standardly takes the Present Subjunctive (venha) for future events.
Omitting 'que' before a conjugated verb.
Não como carne a não ser seja frango.Não como carne a não ser que seja frango.You can use 'a não ser' before a noun (a não ser frango), but you must include 'que' if a conjugated verb follows.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'a menos que' or 'a não ser que' correctly, you must first be comfortable with the Present Subjunctive mood, as these conjunctions always trigger its use to express a condition. Familiarity with basic conjunctions also helps in understanding how these phrases connect two clauses.
- -a/-as/-a/-amos/-ais/-amPresente Do Subjuntivo -ER/-IR
The pattern requires knowledge of how to conjugate verbs in the present subjunctive for -ER and -IR verbs.
Level 3 - e/ou/mas/porqueBasic Conjunctions
Understanding basic conjunctions is necessary before moving on to complex conditional conjunctions like 'a menos que'.
Foundations
Related Patterns
- se + Future SubjunctiveCondição Real Futura (Se)
Both express conditions, but 'se' uses the Future Subjunctive while 'a menos que' uses the Present Subjunctive for future events.
Level 4 - contanto que + SubjunctiveContanto Que (Provided That)
Another conditional conjunction that triggers the subjunctive, meaning 'provided that' (the positive version of 'unless').
Level 5 - embora + SubjunctiveEmbora (Although)
A concessive conjunction that also triggers the subjunctive, meaning 'although'.
Level 5 - sem que + SubjunctiveSem Que (Without)
Similar to 'unless,' this means 'without' or 'unless' and always requires the subjunctive.
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice a menos que/a não ser que + Subjunctive in Bubblegum
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