〜ものなら: This phrase means 'If I could...' or 'If it were possible to...'. You use it when something is very hard or impossible to do.

〜ものなら

This phrase means 'If I could...' or 'If it were possible to...'. You use it when something is very hard or impossible to do.

N2 KMT6NeutralStandardAdverbial ConstructionMixedHypothetical ConditionalsGrammar

Verb [potential form] + ものならPrimary

Verb [volitional form] + ものなら

This phrase means 'If I could...' or 'If it were possible to...'. You use it when something is very hard or impossible to do.

過去に戻れるものなら、もう一度人生をやり直したい。

If I could go back to the past, I would want to redo my life.

NeutralNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceHypotheticalCore Concepts Emotions & Psychology

勝てるものなら勝ってみろ！

If you think you can win, then go ahead and try!

RoughNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceHypotheticalSports & Martial Arts Games

国へ帰れるものなら、一日だってここにいたくない。

If I could return to my country, I wouldn't want to stay here for even a single day.

CasualNon PastNegativeMid SentenceHypotheticalTravel & Transportation Emotions & Psychology

あの時、彼に謝れるものなら謝りたかったが、勇気が出なかった。

If I could have apologized to him at that time, I would have wanted to, but I couldn't muster the courage.

NeutralPastAffirmativeMid SentenceHypotheticalFamily & Relationships Emotions & Psychology

手術なしでこの病気が治せるものなら、いくらでもお支払いします。

If this illness could be cured without surgery, I would pay any amount.

PoliteNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceHypotheticalMedicine & Health Business & Finance

Think of it like a big "what if" question. The part after 〜ものなら shows how you truly feel about that "what if." It shows your strong wish or what you would do.

Other 'if' phrases are neutral. They just suppose something. But '〜ものなら' shows strong feelings. It means something is very hard or impossible. Also, '〜ものなら' is not like '〜（よ）うものなら'. That one warns of bad things. '〜ものなら' can show a wish or a desire.

Don't use this when you talk about things that are easy to do. For example, you can't say "If I can eat, I will eat."

Contrasts with(1)

〜としたら

You use this to talk about something that might happen. It is like saying 'if that were true' or 'what if?'

〜れる / 〜られる (potential form)

This grammar shows you can do something. It means 'can' or 'to be able to'.

意向形 (よう / う)

This form means 'let's do' something. You use it to suggest an action or invite someone to do it with you.

〜なら

You use this word to talk about a topic. You can give advice about it. You can also ask a question about it.

〜としたら

You use this to talk about something that might happen. It is like saying 'if that were true' or 'what if?'

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Dictionary

〜ものなら

This phrase means 'If I could...' or 'If it were possible to...'. You use it when something is very hard or impossible to do.

N2 KMT6NeutralStandardAdverbial ConstructionMixedHypothetical ConditionalsGrammar

Verb [potential form] + ものならPrimary

Verb [volitional form] + ものなら

This phrase means 'If I could...' or 'If it were possible to...'. You use it when something is very hard or impossible to do.

過去に戻れるものなら、もう一度人生をやり直したい。

If I could go back to the past, I would want to redo my life.

NeutralNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceHypotheticalCore Concepts Emotions & Psychology

勝てるものなら勝ってみろ！

If you think you can win, then go ahead and try!

RoughNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceHypotheticalSports & Martial Arts Games

国へ帰れるものなら、一日だってここにいたくない。

If I could return to my country, I wouldn't want to stay here for even a single day.

CasualNon PastNegativeMid SentenceHypotheticalTravel & Transportation Emotions & Psychology

あの時、彼に謝れるものなら謝りたかったが、勇気が出なかった。

If I could have apologized to him at that time, I would have wanted to, but I couldn't muster the courage.

NeutralPastAffirmativeMid SentenceHypotheticalFamily & Relationships Emotions & Psychology

手術なしでこの病気が治せるものなら、いくらでもお支払いします。

If this illness could be cured without surgery, I would pay any amount.

PoliteNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceHypotheticalMedicine & Health Business & Finance

Think of it like a big "what if" question. The part after 〜ものなら shows how you truly feel about that "what if." It shows your strong wish or what you would do.

Don't use this when you talk about things that are easy to do. For example, you can't say "If I can eat, I will eat."

Contrasts with(1)

〜としたら

You use this to talk about something that might happen. It is like saying 'if that were true' or 'what if?'

〜れる / 〜られる (potential form)

This grammar shows you can do something. It means 'can' or 'to be able to'.

意向形 (よう / う)

This form means 'let's do' something. You use it to suggest an action or invite someone to do it with you.

〜なら

You use this word to talk about a topic. You can give advice about it. You can also ask a question about it.

〜としたら

You use this to talk about something that might happen. It is like saying 'if that were true' or 'what if?'

Track your mastery

Kumi's KMT system tracks your mastery across kanji, vocabulary, grammar, and reading. Create a free account to use it on 220,000+ concepts.

〜ものなら

Patterns2

Meaning

Examples5

Nuance1

Contrasts1

Restrictions1

Compare with1

Contrasts with(1)

Prerequisites4

Track your mastery

〜ものなら

Patterns2

Meaning

Examples5

Nuance1

Contrasts1

Restrictions1

Compare with1

Contrasts with(1)

Prerequisites4

Track your mastery