Japatan
Formation
- V可能形(辞書形) + ものなら
- V意向形 + ものなら
Explanation
There are two uses. (1) Potential form + ものなら: "if it were possible" about something very hard to realize, followed by a wish (〜たい) or a challenge (〜てみろ). できるものなら is common. (2) Volitional form + ものなら (〜ようものなら): "if one were to do such a thing," followed by a serious or unpleasant result. Both are stronger than a plain 〜たら.
Examples
子どもの頃に 戻れるものなら、もっとたくさん本を読みたい。
If I could go back to my childhood, I would want to read many more books.
できるものなら、来週の出張は誰かに代わってもらいたい。
If at all possible, I'd like someone to take my place on next week's business trip.
あの部長の会議に 遅れようものなら、後で一時間は注意される。
If you were late for that manager's meeting, you'd get lectured for an hour afterward.
祖母の料理に少しでも文句を 言おうものなら、一週間は口をきいてもらえない。
If you dared to complain even a little about my grandmother's cooking, she wouldn't speak to you for a week.
Notes
It does not attach to the dictionary form of a verb with no sense of possibility (✗ 雨が降るものなら). 〜ようものなら is normally followed by a bad or serious result.
Related grammar
Mini quiz
1休める（ ）、明日は一日中寝ていたい。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 1 ものなら
"If I could take a day off, I'd want to sleep all day tomorrow." Potential form + ものなら expresses a wish. ものの (although), からといって (just because) and ことなく (without) do not fit.
2締め切りに一日でも（ ）、お客さんの信用をなくしてしまう。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 3 遅れようものなら
"If we were late for the deadline by even one day, we would lose our clients' trust." A bad result follows, so volitional form + ものなら is used. ものなら does not attach to the た-form or ない-form, and 遅れる has no potential meaning.
3「ものなら」の使い方が正しい文はどれですか。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 2 行けるものなら、私も一緒に行きたい。
2 means "If I could go, I'd want to go with you too." It uses potential form + ものなら with a wish. 1 should be 降ったら, 3 should be あるので, and 4 should be 忙しかったので.
