もしも~なら・もしも~でも
Meanings
- If
- Supposing
- Even if (stronger concessive/conditional)
About this pattern
Explanation
This grammar expresses hypothetical situations with added emphasis. もしも marks a hypothetical condition, and the following clause using なら expresses a straightforward conditional: if this condition is met, then something happens. The でも form expresses a strong concessive meaning: even if this condition holds, the outcome or action remains the same or a different plan is followed. These forms are often used to set up conditions that are real possibilities or to stress the hypothetical nature of the situation. They are common in both spoken and written Japanese, with なら leaning toward a real-if situation, and でも emphasizing “even if” scenarios.
Learn in context
Example sentences
If I have time, let's go see a movie.
If it rains, we will hold the event indoors.
If he doesn’t come, we’ll start.
He might be busy. Even if he comes, we won’t be able to talk long.
Keep studying
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