ようものなら (youmononara)

Meaning & usage

ようものなら follows the volitional form of a verb and means that if something were to happen, even by chance, the result would be bad or serious. It appears in conditional sentences describing hypothetical situations the speaker wants to avoid.

Example sentences 4

1. 会議かいぎに遅刻ちこくしようものなら、部長ぶちょうに怒おこられてしまう。

   If I were to be late for the meeting, the department head would get angry at me.

2. 彼女に嘘をつこうものなら、一生許されないだろう。

   If I were to lie to her, I probably wouldn't be forgiven for the rest of my life.

3. 試験中に携帯が鳴ろうものなら、退場させられる。

   If your phone were to ring during the exam, you'd be made to leave.

4. 値段を上げようものなら、客がみんな離れてしまう。

   If we were to raise the prices, all the customers would drift away.