Intermediate: Lesson 1
We have already learn a few ways to express conditions. In this lesson, we're going to look at using ば and なら to expression conditions.
How to make conditional form ば and なら?
For group 1 verbs, you can change the u to eba.
For group 2 verbs, simply add れば to the verb.
For group 3 verbs, します becomes すれば and 来ます becomes くれば.
For i-adjectives, you'd need to change the い to ければ.
For na-adjectives and nouns, simply add なら to the verb.
For negative verbs, adjectives and nouns, because it ends with ない, you'd need to change the い to ければ.
Usage of conditional form
Conditional form たら and ば can be used interchangeably. However, たら is usually used more for speaking while ば is more polite and usually used for writing.
ば is often used when the condition and results occurs generally and repeatedly.
1. ゆっくり話せば、わかります。
2. 暑ければ、エアコンをつけてもいいです。
3. 宿題を終われば、ゲームで遊んでもいいです。
4. When I go to the mall every Thursday, I will buy Bubble Tea from KOI.
4. 毎木曜日モールに行けば、コーイからボバティーを買おう。
- Unlike the と conditional form, speaker's intention, will and judgement can be included freely in the ば condition.
- The ば conditional form is more formal and is typically used for writing.
- The ば conditional form is used when there is a pattern (e.g. repeated actions) between the condition and the result.
Examples of using たら condition
たら is more suitable when the condition and the result is ad-hoc.
If he is late, we cannot wait.
彼が遅かったら、私達は待てない。
You can start the presentation when Mr Tanaka arrives.
田中さんが着いたら、あなたはプレゼンテーションが始めることができます。
The next time I go to Japan, I want to go to Iwate.
今度日本に行ったら、岩手に行きたい。
Ad-hoc behaviour:
If you're going to the mall later, please help me buy Bubble Tea from KOI.
(あなたは)モールに行ったら、(あなたは私に)コーイからボバティーを買ってくれます。
- Like the ば conditional form, たら can be used to indicate the speaker's will, intention or judgement.
- The たら conditional form typically used for conversation.
Examples of using と condition
と is used when the condition and results occurs naturally. Common sense and customs applies as well.
When it's spring, the flowers will bloom.
春になると、花がさきます。
When it's winter, many people will go to a Ski resort.
冬とき、多くの人はスキーリゾートに行きます。
When he's done with his work, he'd always go out for a drink.
彼は仕事を終わると、いつも飲みに行きます。
- You cannot include the speaker's will, intention or judgement onto the と conditional form. Hence, a sentence structure like e.g. When I am done with work, I will play game. Playing game is a choice.
- However, if it is a pattern or a custom, it is ok.
Examples of using なら condition
なら is used for na-adjectives and nouns.
If you're free tomorrow, shall we go out?
明日暇なら、一緒に出かけよう。
If it's the shinkansen, it's fast.
新幹線なら、速い。
ば + ほど
You can use ば + ほど to express "The more you do something, the better you get". It's used to indicate that conditions and results are proportional.
How to use ば + ほど?
The conditional part of the sentence can be omitted.
The faster you speak, the more difficult it is to understand.
速く話せば話すほど、わかる事が難しい。
速く話せば話すほど、わかる事が難しい。
The more you listen to the tapes, the better you'll get in the test.
テープを聴けば聴くほど、テストが上手になります。
テープを聴けば聴くほど、テストが上手になります。
The more you eat, the fatter you become.
食べれば食べるほど、太くなります。
食べれば食べるほど、太くなります。
The longer you wait, the more money you will lose.
待てば待つほど、お金が失くす。
待てば待つほど、お金が失くす。
- The conditional part of the sentence can be omitted.
What should I do? I shouldn't have...
I should have done...
ば + よかったです.
Examples:
1. I should have studied for the test.
1. 試験を勉強すればよかったです。
2. I should have bought that shoes.
2. その靴を買えばよかったです。
I shouldn't have done...
なければ + よかったです.
Examples:
1. I shouldn't have eaten so much.
1. 多くの食べ物を食べなければよかったです。
2. I shouldn't have come to this party.
2. このパーティーに来なければよかったです。
To comfort someone. "It will be all right"
ば + 大丈夫ですよ.
Examples:
1. You will be all right if you studied for the test.
1. 勉強すれば
2. You will be all right if you bought insurance.
2. 保険(ほけん)を買えば、大丈夫ですよ。