Meaning & usage
ものなら expresses a strong hypothetical meaning like if you could possibly do something or if you were to dare to do it. It is used both to state a wish for something hard to achieve, as in できるものなら, and to warn or challenge, implying a bad result or doubt about ability. It attaches to a verb in the volitional form, as in しようものなら, or to a potential form, as in 止められるものなら. It is emphatic and literary, and it cannot replace neutral conditionals like たら or ば.
Example sentences 3
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できるものなら、私も留学したい。
If I possibly can, I want to study abroad too.
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止められるものなら止めてみなさい。
If you can stop me, then try to stop me.
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そんな所に行けるものなら行ってみろ。
If you can go to a place like that, go ahead.
In past JLPT papers
This came up in 7 past exam questions.
And 3 more tests.
