Conditional bí ... bá
Conditional Events
State the condition, then give its consequence or an instruction.
How It Works
Bí introduces the condition, its subject follows, and bá precedes the predicate. The main clause has its own subject and supplies the consequence, instruction, or recurring activity. Subjects need not refer to the same participant in both clauses, and the verbs do not take person or number endings.
Bí o bá dé, a yóò jẹun leaves arrival open and gives a future consequence. A habitual main clause can instead make English “whenever” appropriate. Compare that open arrival condition with Bí mo bá ní ààyè, mo máa ń ka ìwé, which describes what happens on repeated occasions when time is available.
Do not equate bá alone with an unreal past. Oke's conditional discussion includes different contextual interpretations, so the entire clause determines the reading. Also distinguish conditional bí from the manner and comparison frame bí … ṣe.
Examples (3)
- Bí o bá dé, a yóò jẹun.
If you arrive, we will eat.
An open condition precedes a future consequence.
- Bí ẹ bá ní ìbéèrè, ẹ béèrè.
If you have a question, ask.
Ẹ addresses several people or one person respectfully.
- Bí mo bá ní ààyè, mo máa ń ka ìwé.
Whenever I have time, I read.
The habitual main clause supplies the recurring interpretation.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Put the condition's subject between bí and bá.
Related Patterns
Practice Conditional bí ... bá in Bubblegum
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