JLPT N2 grammar

〜も〜ば〜も／も〜なら〜もmeaning and usage

Meaning

A is B, and C is D too; with negative predicates, neither A is B nor C is D

How to form it

  • nounもverb (ba-form)nounもverb (dictionary form)
  • nounもい-adjective stem (without い)ければnounもい-adjective
  • nounもな-adjective (stem)ならnounもな-adjective (stem)だ
  • nounもなければnounもない

How it is used

Pairs two facts of the same kind for emphasis, 'both… and…', good or bad; in the negative, 「〜もなければ〜もない」 means 'neither… nor…'. The set phrase 「親も親なら子も子だ」 instead blames both sides.

Examples

  1. この店は料理もおいしければ、接客も丁寧です。

    This restaurant has delicious food and attentive service.

  2. この町には、駅もなければ、コンビニもない。

    This town has neither a station nor a convenience store.

  3. 兄は字も下手なら、絵も下手だ。

    My older brother is bad at handwriting, and bad at drawing too.