JLPT N3 Shinkanzen Grammar Lesson 20: Special Uses of Conditionals

Special Uses of Conditionals

JLPT N3
Shinkanzen N3 • 3 key grammar patterns
Point 1L20_G1

1. ～と…た / ～たら…た (Discovery, Surprise)

Sentence Pattern
A. When doing 1, you discover 2 (Discovery)
Vる + と、～た
Vたら + 、～た
B. While doing 1, event 2 suddenly occurs
Vている + と、～た
Vていたら + 、～た
C. After doing 1, the result is 2
Vる + と、～た
Vたら + 、～た

Besides their conditional meanings (If...), たら, ば, と, なら have other uses. To express "doing V1 led to V2 / discovering V2", 「～と」 or 「～たら」 (the most common) are often used.

  • A: Expresses SURPRISE, UNEXPECTEDNESS. (Clause 1 and 2 have different subjects)
  • B: While doing V1, an (unexpected) event V2 suddenly interrupts.
  • C: Action V1 immediately brings about result V2 (often surprising or interesting).
Example Sentences (6)
学校がっこうに行いったら、今日きょうは休やすみだった。
When I went to school, I found out it was a holiday today. (A. Discovery)
プレゼントを開あけると、人形にんぎょうが入はいっていた。
When I opened the present, I found a doll inside. (A. Discovery)
桜さくらが満開まんかいになろうとしていると、雪ゆきが降ふった。
Just as the cherry blossoms were about to reach full bloom, it started snowing. (B. Interruption)
庭にわの掃除そうじをしていたら、突然大雨とつぜんおおあめが降ふり出だした。
While I was cleaning the garden, it suddenly started raining heavily. (B. Interruption)
久ひさしぶりに幼おさななじみに手紙てがみを出だすと、すぐに返事へんじが来きた。
When I sent a letter to my childhood friend after a long time, I got a reply immediately. (C. Unexpected result)
料理りょうりにちょっとお酒さけを入入いれてみたら、いい味あじになった。
When I tried adding a little sake to the dish, it tasted better. (C. Unexpected result)
Point 2L20_G2

2. ～と…た (Successive actions)

Sentence Pattern
Vる + と、～た

Meaning: As soon as...
Both clauses share the same subject. Action 2 occurs immediately after Action 1.

Example Sentences (3)
その男おとこはわたしの顔かおを見みると、すぐに逃にげていってしまった。
As soon as that man saw my face, he immediately ran away.
先生せんせいは教室きょうしつに入はいってくると、すぐ試験問題しけんもんだいを配くばり始はじめた。
As soon as the teacher entered the classroom, he immediately began handing out the exam papers.
Aさんは飛行機ひこうきから降おりると、どこかに電話でんわをかけた。
As soon as Mr. A got off the plane, he immediately made a phone call to somewhere.
Point 3L20_G3

3. ～も…ば～も… / ～も…なら～も… (Both A and B / Neither A nor B)

Sentence Pattern
N も + Vば / Aければ / Naなら / Nなら + N も

Meaning: Both A and B... / Neither A nor B...
Used to list two things with the same characteristic (both good, or both bad), or to present two opposing aspects of an issue.

Example Sentences (5)
今度こんどのプロジェクトは資金しきんも不足ふそくなら、作業員さぎょういんも足たりないので、成功せいこうは望のぞめそうもない。
For this project, not only are funds lacking, but we also don't have enough workers, so success seems unlikely.
人生じんせいには楽たのしい時ときもあればつらい時ときもある。
In life, there are happy times and there are also tough times.
山下やましたさんは心臓しんぞうが悪わるいくせに酒さけも飲のめばたばこも吸すう。
Even though Mr. Yamashita has a bad heart, he drinks alcohol and smokes tobacco.
妻つまはお酒さけもよく飲のめば甘あまい物ものもたくさん食たべる。
My wife drinks alcohol well, and she also eats a lot of sweets.
前回ぜんかいも雨あめなら今回こんかいも雨あめか……。僕ぼくたちの旅行りょこうはいつも運うんが悪わるいね。
It rained last time and it's raining this time too... Our trips are always so unlucky.
Previous Lesson (19)Back to lessons listNext Lesson (21)