The structure 除非...,才...
“Unless…”
The structure expresses that some action won't happen unless a certain condition is met.
Scheme
除非
condition
result
We should state 除非 at the beginning of the sentence. The first subject is stated right after it. We should state 才 in the second part of the sentence. The second subject is stated before it.
Scheme
除非
subject 1
predicate 1
subject 2
predicate 2
Examples
除非他给我增加工资,我会留下来
I won't stay unless he gives me an increase in pay
chúfēi tā gěi wǒ zēngjiā gōngzī, wǒ cái huì liúxiàlái
除非你跟我同意,我会跟你一起去
I will go with you only if you agree with me
chúfēi nǐ gēn wǒ tóngyì, wǒ cái huì gēn nǐ yìqǐ qù
除非你们走了,我可以开始工作
I can't start working until you guys are gone
chúfēi nǐmen zǒu le, wǒ cái kěyǐ kāishǐ gōngzuò
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