JLPT N3 grammar

もし〜たならmeaning and usage

Meaning

If A had happened/was true, If A were to happen/be true

How to form it

  • もしverb (ta-form)なら
  • もしい-adjective stem (without い)かったなら
  • もしな-adjective (stem)/nounだったなら

How it is used

'If A had happened / if A were the case'. A slightly more formal relative of 「もし〜たら」, often used for situations contrary to past fact, with 「〜のに」 or 「〜だろう」 in the second half.

Examples

  1. もしここが静かな場所だったら、 落ち着いて仕事ができたのになあ。

    If this was a quiet spot, I'd be able to calm down and do my work.

  2. もしあの時もっと勉強していたなら、合格できただろう。

    If I had studied harder back then, I probably would have passed.

  3. もし道を知っていたなら、案内できたのに。

    If I had known the way, I could have shown you.