N3198/219

もしも~なら・もしも~でも

もしも + Clause + ならもしも + Clause + 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

もしも時間があれば、映画を見に行こう。

If I have time, let's go see a movie.

もしも雨が降るなら、屋内でイベントを行います。

If it rains, we will hold the event indoors.

もしも彼が来なければ、私たちは始めます。

If he doesn’t come, we’ll start.

彼は忙しいかもしれない。もしも彼が来ても、長くは話せない。

He might be busy. Even if he comes, we won’t be able to talk long.