ものなら①
Meanings
- If it could happen; if one could do something
- If, by any chance, it were possible for me/us to do X
About this pattern
Explanation
ものなら expresses a strong, hypothetical condition that is often unlikely or difficult to achieve. It conveys the speaker’s sense of ‘if it were possible (but it is probably not), …’ and is frequently used when urging action, expressing a wish, or warning about what one would do under such a unlikely circumstance. It tends to be used in situations where the speaker imagines the best-case possibility and contrasts it with reality.
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Example sentences
If I could do it, I would help right now.
If he were going to come, waiting would be pointless.
If I could do this difficult homework, I’d like to finish it in one night.
If I could buy such an expensive car, I would have bought it long ago.
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More N2 patterns
to be able to; can; possible to do
View detailsUnable to; Cannot; Cannot possibly
View detailsCan't help doing; Have no choice but to...
View detailsto not ~; un~; archaic negative form of ず used in literary Japanese
View detailsWith the intention of doing; Instead of...; Act as if or pretend; Believing that...; Thinking that...
View detailsanyhow; at any rate; in any case; I have no doubt that; probably
View details