「ものなら」- Hypothetical Condition

Explanation

〜ものなら is a Japanese grammatical structure used to express hypothetical conditions, often implying that the speaker believes the condition is highly unlikely to be realized. However, if it were to happen, it would lead to serious consequences or a result that the speaker strongly desires.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
Verb Volitional Form + ものなら	Verb Volitional Form followed by "ものなら"	〜ものなら is primarily used to express hypothetical conditions, emphasizing the difficulty or impossibility of the condition being realized.

Meaning

〜ものなら is mainly used to express hypothetical conditions, emphasizing the difficulty or impossibility of the condition being realized.

Connection Method

The volitional form of the verb is followed by ものなら, constructed as follows:

• Group 1 Verbs (Godan Verbs): Change the verb ending to the 「お」 row and add 「う」. For example, 「行いく」 becomes 「行いこう」.
• Group 2 Verbs (Ichidan Verbs): Remove the 「る」 ending and add 「よう」. For example, 「食たべる」 becomes 「食たべよう」.
• Group 3 Verbs (Irregular Verbs): 「するする」 becomes 「しようしよう」; 「来くる」 becomes 「来こよう」.

Examples

• 寝ねれるものなら一生寝ねていたい。
• Nereru mono nara isshou nete itai.
• If I could sleep, I would want to sleep forever.
  

• あの日ひの記憶きおくを消けせるものなら消けせてしまいたい。
• Ano hi no kioku o keseru mono nara kesete shimaitai.
• If I could erase the memory of that day, I would want to erase it completely.
  

Notes

• 〜ものなら is typically used when the speaker can anticipate a certain outcome, so it is often used when describing serious consequences.
• This expression is less commonly used in everyday conversation and is more frequently found in written language or formal situations.

Deep Dive

〜ものなら is a grammatical structure used to express hypothetical conditions, emphasizing the difficulty or impossibility of the condition being realized. It is typically used in the following situations:

1. Expressing an impossible condition: For example, 「時間じかんを戻もどせるものなら戻もどしたい」（If I could turn back time, I would want to do so).
2. Expressing a strong desire: For example, 「無事ぶじに帰かえってこれるものなら、何なにでもしたい」（If I could return safely, I would do anything).
3. Expressing serious consequences: For example, 「彼かれが来こようものなら、大問題だいもんだいになる」（If he were to come, it would cause a big problem).

Comparison and Distinction

Both 〜ものなら and 〜たら can express hypothetical conditions, but 〜ものなら emphasizes the difficulty or impossibility of the condition being realized, while 〜たら is more neutral and lacks this emphasis.

Grammar	Meaning	Example	English Translation
〜ものなら	Hypothetical condition, emphasizing low possibility	彼かれが来こようものなら、大問題だいもんだいになる。	If he were to come, it would cause a big problem.
〜たら	Hypothetical condition, neutral	彼かれが来きたら、大問題だいもんだいになる。	If he comes, it will cause a big problem.

Real-Life Scenarios

In real-life scenarios, 〜ものなら is commonly used in the following situations:

1. Expressing strong desires: For example, when expressing a strong desire to meet someone, one might say, 「あの人ひとに会あえるものなら、何なにでもしたい」（If I could meet that person, I would do anything).
2. Describing impossible conditions: For example, when discussing time travel, one might say, 「時間じかんを戻もどせるものなら戻もどしたい」（If I could turn back time, I would want to do so).
3. Expressing serious consequences: For example, when discussing the potential consequences of someone's actions, one might say, 「彼かれが来こようものなら、大問題だいもんだいになる」（If he were to come, it would cause a big problem).

Summary

〜ものなら is a grammatical structure used to express hypothetical conditions, emphasizing the difficulty or impossibility of the condition being realized. It is often used to describe serious consequences or strong desires. Mastering this grammar point can enrich your Japanese expression, especially in written language and formal situations.