[Grammar] I will go unless you want to go

[SimonSimonite]

In my translation class I was given a sentence which I translated as following:

I will go to the store unless you want to go, too.

The original sentence declared that the speaking person (A) was willing to go to the store, but only if their interlocutor (B) wasn't, as if they (B) could do the shopping for the person A.

I had a long discussion with my teacher after class, on whether "unless" was the right word to use in this case. In her perception, my translation's meaning was the opposite to original: A would go to the store only if accompanied by B, and that's why I used "unless" improperly.

So my questions are: what is the correct use of the word "unless", and, if I was wrong, what would be the right translation for this sentence?

I hope I was clear.

 

[jutfrank]

As it is, the sentence is not right. It's senseless and unnatural. Don't try to translate it.

 

[GoesStation]

If I understand correctly, the sentence in the original language means I'll go to the store if you don't​ want to.

 

[SimonSimonite]

If I understand correctly, the sentence in the original language means I'll go to the store if you don't​ want to.

Well, it could be rephrased that way. But, originally, it says something like: "I will go, but I will stay if you want to go." This translation is way more accurate actually.

But in the exercise it was specified to use the phrase "chyba że" which is translated as "unless" or "untill" depending on the context.

I guess the exercise was written with an error, and it's simply improper to use "unless" in this particular context.

 

[Raymott]

"I will go, but I will stay if you want to go" can be expressed as "I'll go unless you want to [go]" - in most cases. If that's what the sentence means then "unless" is right. But I don't know the meaning of 'too' in your original. That would normally mean that they would both go together.

 

[GoesStation]

How about I'll go unless you'd rather [go]​?

 

[jutfrank]

As it is, the sentence is not right. It's senseless and unnatural. Don't try to translate it.

Sorry, I got confused here. I now realise that the sentence in post #1 was your attempt at a translation, not the original sentence. I thought you were trying to translate from English into Russian.

 

[jutfrank]

"I will go, but I will stay if you want to go" can be expressed as "I'll go unless you want to [go]" - in most cases. If that's what the sentence means then "unless" is right. But I don't know the meaning of 'too' in your original. That would normally mean that they would both go together.

Right. It's the too that confused me and prompted me to say that the sentence was senseless. It makes sense without too.