JLPT N2 Conditionals and preconditions
ないことには～ない states a precondition ("unless you ..."), 限り means "as long as", and ものなら voices an unlikely "if only I could". ようでは and ていては warn that a current state leads somewhere bad, and 次第で makes the outcome depend on something. ものなら is often mistaken for a neutral "if" when it really implies the condition is hard to meet.
10 N2 grammar points in this group
ては / では (tewa dewa): whenever; if; when
Use ては / では when you want to show repeated occurrence or a condition that leads to a result.
休んではまた働くという生活が続いた。 — A life of resting and then working again continued.
それなら (sore nara): if that's the case
Use それなら when you want to respond to new information with a conclusion or suggestion.
今日は時間がないんですか。それなら、明日にしましょう。 — You don't have time today? If that's the case, let's do it tomorrow.
そうすると (sou suru to): if so; then
Use そうすると when you want to show the result that follows from an action or situation.
この道をまっすぐ行ってください。そうすると、駅が見えます。 — Go straight down this road. Then you will see the station.
次第で (shidai de): depending on
Use 次第で when you want to say the result changes according to a factor.
努力次第で、結果は変わる。 — Depending on your effort, the result will change.
限り (kagiri): as long as; while… is the case; as far as; while
Use 限り（かぎり） when you want to express that a situation continues to be true as long as some premise is maintained.
生きている限り、希望はある。 — As long as you are alive, there is hope.
てこそ (te koso): only after; precisely because
Use てこそ when you want to emphasize that a condition is necessary for the result.
努力してこそ、成功の喜びが分かる。 — Only by making effort can you understand the joy of success.
ないことには～ない (nai koto niwa nai): unless you
Use ないことには～ない when you want to express that something cannot be known, decided, or done unless a specific precondition is met first.
実際にやってみないことには、成功するかどうか分からない。 — You can't know whether it will succeed unless you actually try it.
ていては (te ite wa): if one keeps doing
Use ていては when you want to warn that a bad result will happen if the current action continues.
そんなに迷っていては、チャンスを逃してしまう。 — If you keep hesitating like that, you'll miss the chance.
ようでは (you dewa): if; if things are like
Use ようでは when you want to warn that a bad result will follow from a negative condition.
こんな簡単な問題が解けないようでは、合格は難しい。 — If you can't solve such an easy problem, passing will be difficult.
ものなら (mono nara): if I/we could; if [A] is possible, then [B]
Use ものなら when you want to express that if it were possible to do something difficult or impossible, one would do it — but it's probably not.
行けるものなら、すぐにでも君に会いに行きたい。 — If only I could go, I'd go see you right away.
More JLPT N2 grammar groups
- Contrast and concession (17)
- Cause, reason, and "no wonder" (16)
- Obligation, advice, and no choice (15)
- Feelings, resolve, and exclamations (15)
- Possibility, risk, and certainty (14)
- Viewpoint and judging from appearance (11)
- Negation and "far from" (12)
- Limits, exceptions, and minimums (14)
- Adding, listing, and connecting ideas (19)
- Timing: as soon as, since, in the end (15)
- Change, manner, and degree (21)
- Relational phrases: based on, regardless of (19)