Decoded Slug: ～ば～ものを (～ba～mono o)
Japanese JLPT Grammar Point
～ば～ものを (～ba～mono o)
～ば～ものを (～ba～mono o)
Short explanation:
Expresses regret about a situation that did not happen; 'if only', 'it would be good if'.
Formation:
Verb-casual, past + ば + Verb-casual, past + ものを, い-Adjective + ければ + い-Adjective + ものを, な-Adjective + であれば + な-Adjective + ものを, Noun + であれば + Noun + ものを
Examples:
早く起きれば、遅刻しなかったものを。
Hayaku okireba, chikoku shinakatta mono o.
If only I had woken up early, I would not have been late.
もっと頑張れば、テストに合格したものを。
Motto ganbareba, tesuto ni goukaku shita mono o.
If only I had tried harder, I would have passed the test.
お金があれば、新しい車を買ったものを。
Okane ga areba, atarashii kuruma o katta mono o.
If I only had the money, I would have bought a new car.
友達がいれば、一緒に遊んだものを。
Tomodachi ga ireba, issho ni asonda mono o.
If only I had friends, I would have played together.
Long explanation:
The ～ば～ものを grammar point is used to express regret for a lost opportunity or to show that an ideal condition was not met. This grammar point is often translated as 'if only' or 'it would be good if' in English. It can be used with verbs, い-adjectives, な-adjectives, and nouns.
