Learn Japanese – The Complete Video Series (presented by becauseofdreams) - 「Learn Japanese」 ば-Form CLAUSE1 + CLAUSE2 as “If CLAUSE1, CLAUSE2”

「Learn Japanese」 ば-Form CLAUSE1 + CLAUSE2 as “If CLAUSE1, CLAUSE2”

「Learn Japanese」 ば-Form CLAUSE1 + CLAUSE2 as “If CLAUSE1, CLAUSE2”

The ば-Form is one of various ways to express a conditional statement; it can be used with verbs, adjectives, and nouns. This grammar construct cannot be used when the verb in CLAUSE1 indicates an action or event and the verb in CLAUSE2 is to represent a command, request or suggestion; the other conditional construction, たら-Form, should be used instead. However, if the verb in CLAUSE1 indicates a state of being and the verb in CLAUSE2 is to represent a command, request or suggestion, this ば-Form grammar pattern can be freely used.

There are no restrictions when using adjectives and nouns with this ば-Form grammar pattern because all adjectives and nouns are states of being. However, for な-Adjectives and Nouns, this grammar pattern is seldom used in informal conversations and is usually substituted with the alternative conditional construction, なら.

The word もし, which itself translates to “if,” can be used with this grammar construct.

Example(s):

よく勉強すれば満点を取れる。
Yoku benkyou sureba manten o toreru.
(If I study hard, I’ll be able to get a perfect score.)

今夜時間があればゲームしようと思う。
Konya jikan ga areba game shiyou to omou.
(If I have time tonight, I think I will play some games.)

高ければ友達にお金を借りることができる。
Takakereba tomodachi ni okane o kariru koto ga dekiru.
(If it’s expensive, I can borrow some money from my friend.)

ひまであれば一緒に勉強しませんか？
Hima de areba issho ni benkyou shimasenka?
(If you’re free, would you like to study together?)

土曜日であれば行くことができる。
Doyoubi de areba iku koto ga dekiru.
(If it’s Saturday, I can go.)

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Edit(s):

*土曜日 (doyoubi) is mistakenly said to be Sunday instead of Saturday.

*よく勉強すれば満点を取れる in the first example should be よく勉強すれば満点が取れる instead due to the usage of the verb 取る in its potential form 取れる (potential form is more commonly used with the particle が instead of を. While the usage of the particle を is acceptable with the potential form in some cases (the different grammatical nuance is that it emphasizes the whole phrase as opposed to が emphasizing the noun itself), が is the more conventional and trustworthy option.

*Please do leave a comment below if you notice any potential errors so I can include a notification about it! Also, please enable replies for your comments if you would like an actual response.