ellei

In a sentence

• Elleivät he saavu ajoissa, aloitamme ilman heitä.

  If they do not arrive on time, we will start without them.

  The word 'ellei' is used here at the beginning of a conditional clause to express 'if not', showing a condition opposite of 'if' (if they do not arrive).

• Lähdemme lenkille, ellei sada.

  We will go for a run unless it rains.

  The word 'ellei' introduces a condition in which not conditionally doing something would occur (if it doesn't rain, we will go).

• Elleivät suunnitelmat muutu, kokous pidetään huomenna.

  Unless the plans change, the meeting will be held tomorrow.

  Here 'ellei' indicates a condition where the occurrence depends on the plans remaining unchanged.

• En lähde ulos, ellei sää parane.

  I won't go outside unless the weather improves.

  Here, 'ellei' introduces a condition that must be met for the main action to occur.

• Koira ei hauku, ellei se näe jotain epäilyttävää.

  The dog doesn’t bark unless it sees something suspicious.

  In this sentence, 'ellei' is used to specify a condition under which the dog's action might take place.

• En mene tapaamiseen, ellei se ole todella tärkeä.

  I won't attend the meeting unless it is really important.

  'ellei' here expresses a limiting conditional that influences the decision to participate.