~ば (conditional)

grammar

140 sentences

The ~ば conditional form, attached to verbs and adjectives to express 'if/when X, then Y.' Commonly used for general truths, hypotheticals where the consequence follows naturally, and counterfactuals. The negative form (verb-ない+ば → ~なければ, often casual ~なきゃ) is simply this conditional applied to a negated verb. Contrast with ~たら (more specific/sequential) and ~と (automatic/habitual).

140 sentences