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If one were to (awful result)
Definition
The grammar pattern 'V-volitional + ものなら' is used to warn that if a certain action is taken, a very serious or disastrous consequence will follow. It is often used to express caution or to warn someone of the potential risks of a particular action. This pattern is commonly used in situations where the speaker is trying to prevent the listener from taking a certain action, or to express regret for a past action that has led to a negative consequence.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Volitional form (-ます, -んさい, -たい, etc.) | V-volitional + ものなら | 食べたい + ものなら |
| Potential form (-る, -られる, etc.) | V-potential + ものなら | 食べられる + ものなら |
| Volitional form (-ます, -んさい, -たい, etc.) | V-volitional + ものなら (with たら or ば) | 食べたい + たらものなら |
Examples
授業中に居眠りをしてものなら、先生に激しく怒られる。
jugyouchuu ni imasenri o shite mononara, sensei ni hatsukishiku okorareru.
If I fall asleep in class, I'll get scolded severely by the teacher.
授業中に (during class), 居眠りをして (fall asleep), ものなら (if one were to), 先生に激しく怒られる (get scolded severely by the teacher)
この秘密を外部に漏らしてものなら、会社を解雇されるだろう。
kono himitsu o gaibu ni morasete mononara, kaisha o kaikō sarete aru darou.
If I were to leak this secret to the outside, I'll be fired from the company.
この秘密を (this secret), 外部に漏らして (leak to the outside), ものなら (if one were to), 会社を解雇される (get fired from the company)
彼を傷つけてものなら、生涯恨まれるに違いない。
kare o kizutsukete mononara, seimei onama reru ni chigainai.
If I were to hurt him, I'll be hated by him for the rest of my life.
彼を (him), 傷つけて (hurt), ものなら (if one were to), 生涯恨まれる (hated for the rest of my life)
Context
This pattern is used to express caution or to warn someone of the potential risks of a particular action. It is often used in situations where the speaker is trying to prevent the listener from taking a certain action, or to express regret for a past action that has led to a negative consequence. The volitional form is used to express the speaker's intention or desire, while the potential form is used to express the possibility of a certain action.
Watch out
The dictionary form is used to express the base form of a verb, while the volitional form is used to express the speaker's intention or desire.
This pattern is used to warn of negative consequences, not positive ones.
The potential form is used to express the possibility of a certain action, while the volitional form is used to express the speaker's intention or desire.
Strategy
Pay attention to the volitional form and the negative consequences expressed in the sentence. Make sure to use the correct form and nuance to convey the intended meaning.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N2 test-style questions. Each sentence shows V-volitional + ものなら used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
授業中に居眠りをしようものなら、先生に激しく怒られる。
Pattern used: しようものなら
'しようものなら' (volitional + ものなら) predicts a severe negative outcome for the action.
この秘密を外部に漏らそうものなら、会社を解雇されるだろう。
Pattern used: 漏らそうものなら
The volitional form is required here to signal the 'if one were to...' warning nuance.
彼を裏切ろうものなら、一生恨まれるに違いない。
Pattern used: 裏切ろうものなら
While 'potential + mononara' is about wishes, 'volitional + mononara' is about dire warnings.
Interactive
授業中に居眠りを______、先生に激しく怒られる。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.