8. Dictionary form / plain present negative + ‘と’
• と is used for both spoken and written
• と is NOT used for situations which may or may not
happen. In other words, this is generally used when
something is always happens.
– This conditional form is used when the first event/action
happens, then the next action happens as a consequence /
as a result immediately or happens certainly.
– So second action happens naturally, inevitably, repetitively or
automatically after the first action.
• This is also used when it means a ‘discovery’
• This is often translated as ‘when’, ‘if’ or ‘whenever’.
• と is often used when stating instructions, natural
laws, principles, etc
9. Dictionary form / plain present negative + ‘と’
• Sentences which means ‘will’, ‘command’,
‘suggestions’, ‘wish’ or ‘request’ do not follow
(volitional expression)
春になると、ピクニックに行きましょう。
夏休みになると、うちにあそびに来てください。
• When this is used with negatives such as 食べないと,
this often express ‘difficulty’ or ‘warning’
• When it is used with the past tense, it expresses a
‘discovery’, ‘past habit’ or ‘repetitive action of the
same person’
– 学生のとき、毎朝起きると、コーヒーを飲みました。
– まどを開けると、つめたいかぜが入ってきた。
• といい(is good)、とだめ(is no good) are useful phrases
14. Plain past/plain negative past + ‘ら’
• This is used for spoken situation and closer to the
conditional form in English.
• It is used when the first action/condition has
completed/met, then 2nd action may happen. In other
words, if the first action hasn’t happened, then 2nd action
will never happen.
• たら CAN take volitional expressions.
• たら expresses more of an action happens once rather
than repetitive action
• When it is used in the past tense, it expresses ‘discover’ or
‘coincidence’ and often translated as ‘when’
15. Plain past/plain negative past + ‘ら’
• もしうるさかったら、言ってください。
• If it was noisy, please tell me. (condition)
• 夏休みになったら、フランスに行きませんか。
• When it becomes a summer holiday, would
you like to go to France? (1st condition
happens)
• きれいだったら、それを使います。
If it is clean, I will use it. (condition)
16. たら with useful expressions
• たらいいです = it would be nice if, I hope, I wish
• 暖かいですから、春に日本に行ったらいいです。
– It is warm, therefore, it would be nice if you go to
Japan in spring
• たらどうですか/たらどうでしょうか = how about if,
what if (recommendation)
• 日本に行ったらどうですか。
– How about if you go to Japan?
• みたらどうですか/みたらどうでしょうか = how
about if you try and do (recommendation)
• 日本食を食べてみたらどうですか。
– How about if you try and eat Japanese food to see
what it is like.
17. たら with useful expressions
• 何/どう/いつ/どこ/どうやって… たら =
what/how/when/where/how should I…
• パーティーに何を着たらいいでしょうか。
– What should I wear for the party?
• いつ日本に行ったらいいと思いますか。
– When do you think I should go to Japan?
• たらいいと思います = I think it is good if you …
– 健康でいるためにジムに行ったらいいと思います。
– I think it is good if you go to gym in order to be
healthy.
• みたらいいと思います = I think it’s good if you try…
– この本を読んでみたらいいと思います。
– I think it is good if you try and read this book.
26. Conditional form ‘ば’
• It is slightly more formal than たら or と
• ば is used for both formal spoken and written situation and is
often used for written language such as news, proverb or
polite situation.
• It is often used for repetitive action, logic, instructions,
principles, general condition which something always
happens, responding to what someone has said or to an
explanation of a situation etc.
• ば is also used for the speaker’s judgment e.g. 意見がなけれ
ば終わります
• ば can NOT take volitional expressions of same subject or
when it is NOT a condition
北海道に行けば、スキーをしよう。
o 彼女が北海道に来れば、スキーをしよう。
ご飯を食べれば、この薬を飲んでください。
o 部屋が暑ければ、窓を開けてください。
27. Conditional form ‘ば’
• Useful expression
• Question words + ばいいですか ‘what/how/what
time etc shall/should I…’
– どこで聞けばいいですか。
– 本を借りたいんですが、どうすればいいですか。
• ばよかった ‘I wish I had done…’
– きのう、勉強しておけばよかった。
• Also useful to say ‘the more xxx, the more yyy’,
e.g. 勉強すれば、勉強するほどいいです。
28. Conditional form ‘ば’
• わからないことがあれば、いつでも聞いてください。
• If you have something you don’t understand, then please
ask me anytime. (condition, speaker’s judgement)
• よく読めば、わかります。
• If it you read carefully, then you will understand.
(supposition)
• 父が許さなければ、外出できません。
• If my father won’t allow it, then I can’t go out. (condition)
• もし、明日天気が悪ければ、家で勉強します。
• If the weather is bad tomorrow, then I will study at home.
(supposition)
29. Conditional form ‘ば’
• もしよければ、フランス語を教えてくれませんか。
• If it is OK (for you), then can you teach me French?
(condition, request but 1st sentence is not an action)
• きれいでなければ、使えません。
• If it is not clean, then I won’t be able to use it. (condition)
• 雨なら(ば)、ピクニックは中止です。
• If it is rain, then a picnic is cancelled. (condition)
• 何時に行けばいいですか。（何時に行ったらいいですか）
• What time should I go?
• このボタンを押せば、切符が出ます。
• If you press this button, the ticket will come out
(instruction)
• あの魚料理を食べればよかったね。
• I wish I had eaten that fish meal.
30. The more, the better
• Using the conditional form, you can express the degree described
in the latter part of the sentence increase/decreases with the
change of the degree described in the former.
• Verb Dictionary form
• い adjectives conditional form い adjective ほど～
• な adjectives な adjectives + な
• 運動は、すればするほどいいです。
• The more you do sport, the better.
• かばんは、大きければ大きいほど便利です。
• The bigger the bag is, the more convenient.
• パソコンは、操作が簡単なら簡単なほどいいです。
• パソコンは操作が簡単であれば簡単であるほどいいです。
• The easier the operation, the better the computer.
