Japatan
Formation
- V普通形 + なら
- いA普通形 + なら
- なA + なら
- N + なら
Explanation
(1) Picking up what someone said or the situation, なら gives advice or an opinion: 京都へ行くなら、秋がいいですよ (if you're going to Kyoto, autumn is best). The advice is about before going. (2) Noun + なら answers about a topic the other person raised: 田中さんなら、図書館にいましたよ (as for Tanaka, he was in the library).
Examples
A「来月、京都へ 行きたいんです。」
B「京都へ 行くなら、秋が いいですよ。」A: I want to go to Kyoto next month. B: If you're going to Kyoto, autumn is the best time.
寒いなら、エアコンを つけましょうか。
If you're cold, shall I turn on the heater?
暇なら、ちょっと 手伝ってください。
If you're free, please give me a hand.
A「田中さんを 見ませんでしたか。」
B「田中さんなら、図書館に いましたよ。」A: Have you seen Mr. Tanaka? B: Tanaka? He was in the library.
Notes
Na-adjectives and nouns take なら directly (not 暇ななら or 学生だなら). 行くなら refers to before going, while 行ったら refers to after arriving.
Related grammar
Mini quiz
1A「今度の 休みに 北海道へ 行きたいんです。」
B「北海道へ（ ）、冬が いいですよ。」
Answer and explanation
Answer: 4 行くなら
'I want to go to Hokkaido on my next holiday.' 'If you're going to Hokkaido, winter is good.' B picks up A's words and gives advice, so 行くなら is correct. と cannot introduce advice, and 行きなら does not exist.
2A「私の かさ、知りませんか。」
B「かさ（ ）、入り口に ありましたよ。」
Answer and explanation
Answer: 2 なら
'Have you seen my umbrella?' 'Your umbrella? It was by the entrance.' B answers about the topic A brought up, so noun + なら is correct.
3暇（ ）、いっしょに 買い物に 行きませんか。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 3 なら
If you're free, would you like to go shopping together? A na-adjective takes なら directly, without な, だ or の.
