What does ～ものなら mean? Japanese grammar N2

Forming it

How to use it

Assumes something difficult or impossible, then states a wish. Always carries a sense of impossibility.

• Meaning (a) WISH: 「帰れるものなら、今すぐ国へ帰りたい」 — the first clause uses the POTENTIAL FORM, the second clause is 「たい／のに」.
• Meaning (b) WARNING: 「V意向形＋ものなら」 = if one were to ever… it would be trouble: 「一言でも文句を言おうものなら、大変なことになる」.
• Distinguished by the verb form: potential form → wish; volitional form → warning of a bad consequence.

Examples

• 帰(かえ)れるものなら、今(いま)すぐ国(くに)へ帰(かえ)りたい。

  If I could go home, I would return to my country right now.

• 一言(ひとこと)でも文句(もんく)を言(い)おうものなら、彼(かれ)はすぐ怒(おこ)り出(だ)す。

  If you so much as complain once, he blows up immediately.

Keep in mind

• The wish meaning requires the potential form.
• The second clause in meaning (b) is always a bad consequence.

Common mistakes

• Wrong帰(かえ)るものなら、今(いま)すぐ帰(かえ)りたい。

  If I could go home, I would want to go right now.

  Correct帰(かえ)れるものなら、今(いま)すぐ帰(かえ)りたい。

  The wish meaning uses the POTENTIAL FORM.

• Wrong文句(もんく)を言(い)おうものなら、彼(かれ)は喜(よろこ)ぶ。

  If you so much as complain once, he'll be delighted.

  Correct文句(もんく)を言(い)おうものなら、彼(かれ)は怒(おこ)り出(だ)す。

  The warning meaning must lead to a bad consequence.

Exam tips

• 「V可能形＋ものなら」 = if only I could…; 「V意向形＋ものなら」 = if one were to ever…, it would be trouble.

Related patterns

• ～たら
• ～ようものなら
• ～としたら