と often states an automatic result; ば presents a condition; たら can mean if or after; なら responds to a given premise. Compare the examples, then use the table to make your own sentence.
The idea
と often states an automatic result; ば presents a condition; たら can mean if or after; なら responds to a given premise. Several forms can fit one context, with different emphasis.
| Starting form | Form or example |
|---|---|
| と | 押すと |
| ば | 安ければ |
| たら | 帰ったら |
| なら | 行くなら |
Examples
- このボタンを押すと、ドアが開きます。When you press this button, the door opens.
- 安ければ、そのかばんを買います。If it is cheap, I will buy that bag.
- 家に帰ったら、電話をします。When I get home, I will call.
- 日本へ行くなら、パスポートを確認してください。If you are going to Japan, check your passport.
- 右に曲がると、駅があります。Turn right and you will find the station.
- 雨が降ったら、家にいます。If it rains, I will stay home.
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Watch out
Do not swap them mechanically: a subsequent request normally cannot follow conditional と, while たら can introduce one. なら need not put its main action after the premise.
Try it yourself
Complete the sentence using と・ば・たら・なら; choose the appropriate form. このボタンを＿、ドアが開きます。（押すと／押すなら） When you press this button, the door opens. Describe an automatic result.
Show answer or example answer
押すと
「押すと」 — When you press this button, the door opens. と marks the automatic result when the button is pressed.
Complete the sentence using と・ば・たら・なら; choose the appropriate form. 日本へ＿、パスポートを確認してください。（行ったら／行くなら） If you are going to Japan, check your passport. Check the passport before departure.
Show answer or example answer
行くなら
「行くなら」 — If you are going to Japan, check your passport. なら takes the planned trip as a premise, so the passport can be checked before leaving.
Complete the sentence using と・ば・たら・なら; choose the appropriate form. 家に＿、電話をします。（帰ったら／帰ると） When I get home, I will call. This is one planned call after the return.
Show answer or example answer
帰ったら
「帰ったら」 — When I get home, I will call. たら puts the planned call after the return; conditional と normally describes an automatic or habitual result rather than this intention.
Complete the sentence using と・ば・たら・なら; choose the appropriate form. ＿、そのかばんを買います。（安いれば／安ければ） If it is cheap, I will buy that bag.
Show answer or example answer
安ければ
「安ければ」 — If it is cheap, I will buy that bag. 安い changes to 安ければ: replace い with ければ.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
Complete the sentence using と・ば・たら・なら; choose the appropriate form. このボタンを＿、ドアが開きます。（押すと／押すなら） When you press this button, the door opens. Describe an automatic result.
Complete the sentence using と・ば・たら・なら; choose the appropriate form. 日本へ＿、パスポートを確認してください。（行ったら／行くなら） If you are going to Japan, check your passport. Check the passport before departure.
Complete the sentence using と・ば・たら・なら; choose the appropriate form. 家に＿、電話をします。（帰ったら／帰ると） When I get home, I will call. This is one planned call after the return.
Complete the sentence using と・ば・たら・なら; choose the appropriate form. ＿、そのかばんを買います。（安いれば／安ければ） If it is cheap, I will buy that bag.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Write two new sentences using と・ば・たら・なら; explain your choices and check them against the table.