Unit 2 - Section 1: Passive Form Changes

Practice Quiz

Advanced Conditional Forms

Master sophisticated conditional patterns used in formal and literary Japanese. These expressions add nuance and precision to your Japanese.

～ば Conditional (If/When)

Formation: Verb/Adjective dictionary form → ～ば

More formal than ～たら; emphasizes the condition

雨あめが降ふれば、中止ちゅうしします。
[Ame ga fureba, chuushi shimasu]
Translation: If it rains, [we] will cancel. (formal)

～ないことには (Unless/Without)

Pattern: [Verb ない] + ことには

Expresses necessity: "without doing, [something] won't happen"

努力どりょくしないことには、成功せいこうできません。
[Doryoku shinai koto ni wa, seikou dekimasen]
Translation: Without effort, you cannot succeed.

～として / ～であれば (As/If being)

として: "As" or "in the capacity of"
  • 医者として、患者を助けなければならない。 - "As a doctor, I must help patients."
であれば: "If it is" (formal conditional)
  • それが本当であれば、重大な問題です。 - "If that is true, it's a serious matter."

Advanced Conditional Comparison

Form Formality Usage Example
～たら Casual Most common 来たら知らせる
～ば Formal Written/formal 来れば知らせる
～なら Casual Topic condition 来るなら知らせる
～ないことには Formal Necessity 来ないことには無理

Study Tips

Master Advanced Conditionals:
  • Formality matters: Choose based on context (formal vs casual)
  • Literary style: ～ば common in newspapers and formal writing
  • Necessity expressions: ～ないことには adds emphasis
  • Integrate gradually: Use in appropriate formal contexts
Course Navigation
Study Tips
  • Read each example carefully
  • Practice pronunciation aloud
  • Create your own sentences to reinforce memory
  • Finish the section quiz