GRAMMAR
〜ものなら ②
if one were to (bad outcome)
Explanation
NOTE
〜ものなら means if (someone) were to even try to V — a serious consequence is implied.
父に逆らおうものなら、大変なことになる。
If you were to even try to defy my father, something terrible would happen.
Uses the volitional form (逆らおう) + ものなら to suggest a daring attempt.
NOTE
The result clause expresses a negative, drastic, or dreaded outcome that would follow the attempt.
NOTE
Attach ものなら to the volitional form of a verb (行こう → 行こうものなら).
STRUCTURE
V意
ものなら先生に嘘をつこうものなら、ひどく叱られる。
Sensei ni uso o tsukou mono nara, hidoku shikarareru.
If you were to even try to lie to the teacher, you'd get scolded badly.
授業中に居眠りしようものなら、すぐに注意される。
Jugyou-chuu ni inemuri shiyou mono nara, sugu ni chuui sareru.
If you were to even try to doze off in class, you'd be reprimanded right away.
母の悪口を言おうものなら、父は本気で怒る。
Haha no waruguchi o iou mono nara, chichi wa honki de okoru.
If you were to even try to speak ill of my mother, my father would get truly angry.
Practice exercises
1
もし彼に秘密を話そうものなら、広まるだろう。
If one were to tell him the secret, it would probably spread.
Answer
話そうものなら
2
万が一、失敗しようものなら、大損害だ。
In the unlikely event that it were to fail, it would be a huge loss.
Answer
失敗しようものなら
3
彼の機嫌を損ねようものなら、後が恐ろしい。
If one were to offend him, the aftermath would be dreadful.
Answer
損ねようものなら
4
この極秘情報が漏れようものなら、大変なことに発展する。
If this top-secret information were to leak, it would develop into a serious situation.
Answer
漏れようものなら
5
一度約束を破ろうものなら、信頼されないだろう。
If you were to break a promise even once, you probably wouldn't be trusted.
Answer
破ろうものなら