jpg-quartz/1- Grammar/Conditional.md

Conditional

と

V

い-Adj

な-Adj + だ

N + だ

+ と

Means "if" when a result is known or assumed to be true, aka a logical cause-effect relationship. Cannot be used if the result is uncertain. So it cannot be an intention, a request, a desire, an order, etc.

[!info] Example {急|いそ}いでない==と==、{遅刻|ちこく}に{着|つ}きます。 If you don't hurry, you'll arrive late.

なら

V (casual) + (の)

い-Adj + (の)

な-Adj + (の)

N

+ なら

Means "in the case that/of". The second part of the sentence is generally an opinion, a request or a suggestion. Adding の adds emphasis.

[!info] Example 車を使う==なら==、気を{付|つ}けて。 If you're using a car, be careful.

えば・なければ

Positive form:

V (う -> え)

い-Adj + けれ

な-Adj + なら

N + なら

+ ば

Negative form:

V ない

い-Adj ない

な-Adj + で

N + で

+ なければ

See Conjugation Basics for verbs (the う sound transforms the the corresponding え sound).

Means "if". A conditional relationship without the cause-effect relationship of と.

[!info] Examples 雨が止==めれば==、店に行く。 If it stops raining, I'll go to the store.

おいしい==でなければ==、食べません。 If it's not good, I will not eat it.

たら

V (た)

い-Adj い + かった

な-Adj + だった

N + だった

+ ら

Means "if" or "when". Describes a condition (the first action must be completed before the second action). Usually used for hypothetical situations. It is the main word used for conditional.

[!info] Example 安==かったら==、買う。 (If / When) it's cheap, I'll buy it.

場合

V (casual)

い-Adj

な-Adj + な

N + の

+ 場合は

{場合|ば|あい} means "in the case of". The second part explains what to do in the situation (instructions, advices, etc). More formal than たら.

[!info] Example {地震|じ|しん}==の場合は==、エレベーターを使わないでください。 In case of an earthquake, please don't use the elevators.