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Expressing conditions, hypotheticals, and consequences with ba, tara, to, nara, and temo
What each pattern means, when to use it, and the mistakes that cost marks in the exam.
Used to express a conditional relationship where the second clause is a result of the first. Verbs are formed by changing the final 'u' sound to 'e' and adding 'ba'. For i-adjectives, drop 'i' and add 'kereba'.
Common mistakes
Expresses regret about a past situation by stating that a different action would have yielded a better result. It uses the 'ba' conditional form followed by 'yokatta'.
Common mistakes
Describes a hypothetical or specific situation and the action to be taken if it occurs. It follows nouns with 'no', na-adjectives with 'na', and verbs/i-adjectives in plain forms.
Common mistakes
Used to set a topic or provide advice based on context provided by another person. It follows nouns and na-adjectives directly, and verbs in dictionary form.
Common mistakes
The most versatile conditional. It is formed by adding 'ra' to the plain past (ta-form). It can represent a hypothetical 'if' or a temporal 'when' once a condition is met.
Common mistakes
Used to give advice or make a mild suggestion. It is formed by adding 'ra dou desu ka' to the 'ta' form of a verb.
Common mistakes
Indicates that a certain outcome occurs regardless of a specific condition. Formed by adding 'mo' to the te-form of verbs, adjectives, or nouns.
Common mistakes
Expresses an inevitable or natural result, such as natural phenomena or machine operations. It follows the dictionary form of verbs and i-adjectives.
Common mistakes
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