Structure
Verb[できる]+ ものなら + Phrase
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About ものなら①
Often seen after the potential form of verbs is the conjunction particle ものなら. This grammar pattern expresses that while (A) is not thought to be possible, if it were possible, (B). Common translations include 'if (A), (B)', if one could (A), (B)', and 'if (A) were possible, (B)'.
As ものなら is just a combination of もの and the hypothetical form of だ (なら), ものなら simply states that if (A) were a 'thing', then (B).
While not a strict rule, the verb in both the (A) and (B) parts of ものなら sentences is frequently the same. Especially when expressing a desire to do (A).
As ものなら is just a combination of もの and the hypothetical form of だ (なら), ものなら simply states that if (A) were a 'thing', then (B).
- 俺のことを捕まえることができると思うものなら、捕まえてみろ!If you think that you can catch me, try and catch me!
- すぐに直せるものなら直したいけど、今はちょっとお金がないから厳しいかな。If it can be fixed soon, I'd like to fix it, but it might be tough right now because I don't have money.
- もしあなたが私より上手に書けるものなら自分で書いてみたらどうですか?If you can write it better than I can, why don't you write it yourself?
- もし行けるものならケニヤに行ってみたいです。If it's possible, I would like to go to Kenya.
While not a strict rule, the verb in both the (A) and (B) parts of ものなら sentences is frequently the same. Especially when expressing a desire to do (A).
Synonyms
Examples
私よりもっと上手くやれるものならやってみろ!
If you can do this better than me, I'd like to see you try.
時の流れに逆らえるものなら過去に行ってみたいが、時間旅行は実現不可能だから。
If I could reverse the flow of time, I would like to travel to the past, but time travel is simply impossible.
帰国できるものなら 帰国したいが、お金が十分にない。
If I could return to my country, I would like to, but I do not have enough money.
この壁の塗り方はまずいって言うか?だったらペンキを買いに行ってもっと上手く塗れるものなら 塗ってみろ!
Are you saying that the way I painted this wall is bad? If you can paint (it) better, go and buy some paint. I'd like to see you try!
もしできるものなら、二年前にビットコインを買ったんだが。
If I could, I would have bought bitcoins two years ago.
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ものなら① – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (1 in total)
Johnathan-Weir
Not sure if it’s worth adding a note but according to some Japanese language YouTube channels, ものなら is sometimes spoken as もんなら.
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