ものなら

If Possible/if Dare

Level 4Sounds Like mononara

ものなら is a conditional used for two specific scenarios: expressing a deep, often impossible wish ('If I could...'), or warning about a dangerous consequence ('If you were to...').

How It Works

ものなら is a specialized conditional pattern primarily used in two ways:

1. The 'Impossible Wish' or 'Challenge' (Potential Form + ものなら)
When attached to the potential form, it expresses a strong desire for something the speaker knows is unlikely or impossible. It is often followed by expressions of longing like 〜たい or 〜てほしい. A common pedagogical pattern is the repetition of the verb, such as 「行けるものなら、行きたい」 (If I could go [but I can't], I'd want to go). Additionally, it can be used to issue a challenge or 'dare' (e.g., 'Do it if you can!').
Example: 戻れるものなら（もどれるものなら） (If I could return [but I can't]).

2. The 'Dire Consequence' (Volitional Form + ものなら)
When attached to the volitional form (often as 〜ようものなら), it describes a hypothetical action that would lead to a very negative or serious result. It acts as a warning that if the action happens even once or in the slightest, a disaster will follow.
Example: 忘れようものなら（わすれようものなら） (If I were to forget [it would be a disaster]).

In casual speech, this is frequently contracted to もんなら, which adds a more emotional or provocative tone.

Examples (5)

  1. 戻れるものなら、子供の頃に戻りたい。

    If I could go back, I'd want to return to my childhood.

    Word by Word: Return-can if, child-time to want-to-return.

    Uses the potential form 戻れる（もどれる） to express a wish that is physically impossible.

  2. あの恐ろしい先生の授業で居眠りしようものなら、大変なことになる。

    If you were to fall asleep in that scary teacher's class, something terrible would happen.

    Word by Word: That scary teacher's class in sleep-try if, serious thing become.

    Uses the volitional form 居眠りしよう（いねむりしよう） to warn of a disastrous result.

  3. やれるもんなら、やってみろ！

    If you think you can do it, then let's see you try!

    Word by Word: Do-can if, try-doing!

    Uses the casual contraction もんなら to challenge someone to do something the speaker thinks they can't actually do.

  4. 自分一人で直せるものなら、とっくに直しているよ。

    If I could fix it by myself, I would have fixed it a long time ago.

    Word by Word: Self one-person by fix-can if, long-ago fixing am yo.

    The potential form 直せる（なおせる） emphasizes that the speaker currently lacks the ability to fix it.

  5. この秘密が漏れようものなら、彼の政治生命は終わるだろう。

    If this secret were to leak, his political career would likely end.

    Word by Word: This secret leak-try if, his political-life end probably.

    The volitional form 漏れよう（もれよう） sets up a hypothetical situation with a catastrophic outcome.

Common Mistakes

  • Using it for likely or simple conditions.

    明日、晴れるものならピクニックに行きましょう。
    明日、晴れたらピクニックに行きましょう。

    ものなら is only for unlikely or extreme situations. For a simple 'if' regarding the weather, use 〜たら or 〜ば.

  • Using the dictionary form for wishes.

    日本に行くものなら、富士山に登りたい。
    日本に行けるものなら、富士山に登りたい。

    When expressing a wish, you must use the potential form (行ける) to emphasize the 'if I could' nuance.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

ものならLevel 4If Possible/if Dare

Learn This First

To understand 'ものなら', you need to be familiar with the potential form of verbs, as the pattern is almost exclusively used with potential verbs to express 'if one could do something (that is actually difficult or impossible)'. Additionally, knowledge of the 'なら' conditional and the nominalizing function of 'もの' is required to parse the structure correctly.

Words in This Pattern

ものなら