JLPT N2 Grammar – Difference between “〜ものだから” and “〜ものなら”
Table of Contents
1. Difference between “〜ものだから” and “〜ものなら”
2. 〜ものだから
3. 〜ものなら
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similer Articles
8. Comment
Q: I don’t really understand the difference between “ものだから” and “ものなら.”
A: Although they may look similar at first glance, “ものだから” and “ものなら” differ completely in both meaning and usage.
Understanding the nuances and how to use each correctly will help you use them with confidence.
〜ものだから (JLPT N2)
[Meaning]
Used to explain a reason, similar to “～ので” or “～（だ）から”
[Rule]
[V] Verb plain form + ものだから
[A] い adjective + ものだから / い adjective plain form + ものだから
[Na] な adjective + ものだから / な adjective plain form + ものだから
[N] Noun + な + ものだから
*In spoken language, “もんだから” is also commonly used.
[Examples]
事故があったものだから、遅れてしまいました。
There was an accident, so I ended up being late.
あまりおいしかったもんだから、全部食べてしまいました。
It was so delicious that I ate all of it.
きれいなものだから、写真を何枚も撮りました。
It was so beautiful that I took many pictures.
ひどい雨なものだから、出かけることができませんでした。
Because it was raining heavily, I couldn’t go out.
“ものだから” is a combination of “もの” and “だから,” and is used to explain reasons, just like “だから” or “ので.”
However, compared to “だから,” it carries a stronger nuance of personal excuse or explanation. In casual conversations, the softer form “もんだから” is often used.
[Examples]
A：えっ、全部食べちゃったの！？
B：うん。あまりおいしかったもんだから、つい全部食べちゃったよ。
A: What? You ate the whole thing!?
B: Yeah. It was so delicious that I ended up eating all of it.
⇒ The speaker is giving a personal reason (“because it was delicious”) as a light excuse.
A：あれ、歯医者に行く予定じゃなかった？
B：うん、ひどい雨なものだからキャンセルしちゃった。
A: Weren’t you supposed to go to the dentist?
B: Yeah, but I canceled because it was raining heavily.
⇒ The speaker is explaining a personal reason for changing plans due to the rain.
Since “ものだから” can give a strong impression of making excuses, it may not be appropriate in business or formal situations. In such cases, it’s better to use more neutral expressions like “ので” or “ために.”
[Examples]
〇：すみません。電車が止まっていたので、遅れました。
I’m sorry. I was late because the train had stopped.
×：すみません。電車が止まっていたもんだから、遅れました。
〜ものなら (JLPT N2)
[Meaning]
Has the same meaning as “if (something were possible),” and is used to express a hypothetical situation
[Rule]
[V] Verb with potential meaning + ものなら
[Examples]
できるものなら、1か月休みを取りたいです。
If I could, I’d like to take a month off.
Ａ：明日、マリアさんとカラオケに行くけど一緒に行かない？
Ｂ：行けるものなら行きたいけど…明日は忙しいんだ。
A: I’m going to karaoke with Maria tomorrow. Want to come?
B: I’d love to if I could… but I’m busy tomorrow.
戻れるものなら、学生時代に戻りたいです。
If I could go back, I’d want to return to my student days.
“なら” is a word that expresses a hypothetical condition, and it is used in a similar way to “if (something could be done).”
When “もの” is added before “なら,” forming “ものなら,” it becomes an expression used to talk about situations that are difficult or unlikely to happen.
In a sentence, “ものなら” is typically used after a verb with potential meaning.
What follows is usually the speaker’s wish, command, or intention, based on that hypothetical condition.
[Examples]
やり直せるもんなら、今すぐやり直したい。
If I could do it over, I’d want to start again right now.
⇒ Expresses a strong personal wish, despite knowing it’s hard or impossible to do.
できるものなら、やってみたら？
If you really think you can, why don’t you try?
⇒ A challenging or provocative expression, implying that the action is difficult and encouraging the other person to attempt it.
Let’s Compare
Which expression is appropriate in the following sentences?
[Examples]
① 飛べるものだから、鳥のように空を飛んでみたいな。
② 飛べるものなら、鳥のように空を飛んでみたいな。
⇒ The correct answer is ②.
“飛べるものなら” expresses an unrealistic or imaginary condition—“I can’t actually fly, but if I could…”—followed by a wish.
① appears to give a reason, but using “ものだから” to explain a general fact like this sounds unnatural.
[Examples]
① 人が多かったものだから、列に並ぶのをあきらめました。
② 人が多かったものなら、列に並ぶのをあきらめました。
⇒ The correct answer is ①.
The speaker is giving an actual reason for their action, so “ものだから” fits naturally.
② expresses a hypothetical situation, which doesn’t match the intended meaning.
Summary
[ものだから]
- It has the same meaning as “（だ）から,” but is often used to express personal reasons, excuses, or explanations.
[ものなら]
- “ものなら” means “if (something were possible)” and is used to express the speaker’s hope, command, or intention, based on a hypothetical situation that is difficult to achieve.
- It is generally used with verbs that express potential.
Quiz
Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.
Click on the question to check the answer.
A. ものだから
急いでたものだから、ケータイを忘れてしまいました。
I was in such a hurry that I forgot my phone.
*“ものだから” is appropriate here, as it expresses a personal reason or excuse for forgetting the phone.
A. ものなら
時間を戻せるものなら、10代に戻りたいよ。
If I could turn back time, I’d want to go back to my teenage years.
*“ものなら” fits this sentence because it expresses a wish based on a hypothetical situation that’s difficult to realize.
A. ものですから
急な出張が入ってしまったものですから、今日の飲み 会は欠席します。
Because an unexpected business trip came up, I won’t be able to join today’s dinner.
*“ものだから (ものですから)” is appropriate, as it explains a personal circumstance behind the absence.
A. ものなら
彼女と仲直りできるものなら、したいものです。
If I could make up with her, I really would.
*“ものなら” is appropriate here, as it expresses a hope based on a situation that is not easy to achieve.
Similer Articles
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