conditional N2 uncommon casualpolitewritten
ものなら — if one could (by any chance) ~
ものなら
Meaning
- if (by any chance) one could ~ / if it were possible to ~ — attaches to a potential verb to voice a wish about something that is in fact hard or impossible
Key sentence
帰れるものなら、今すぐ国に帰りたい。
If I could go home, I'd want to return to my country right now.
Formation
| Attaches to | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb potential form | V-potential + ものなら | 行けるものなら / できるものなら |
When: The action is framed as difficult or impossible; the main clause is a wish (〜たい) or a dare (〜てみろ). The potential verb is often echoed: 帰れるものなら帰りたい.
Examples
会えるものなら、もう一度あの人に会いたい。
If I could meet them, I'd want to see that person one more time.
できるものなら、やってみろ。
Do it if you can. (a challenge)
Easily confused with
〜（よ）うものなら Same ものなら, opposite mood: ようものなら is built on the VOLITIONAL form and warns 'if one were even to ~, a disaster follows'; ものなら uses the POTENTIAL form for a wistful 'if only I could ~'. 〜なら plain なら sets a neutral premise 'if it's the case that ~'; ものなら specifically frames the condition as a barely-attainable possibility tied to a wish or a dare.
See ものなら in real sentences
Jengo shows ものなら the way you actually meet it: inside real Japanese sentences, so it sticks instead of staying an abstract rule.
Study it in JengoSources Compiled with reference to A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar.