Japanese Verb Conjugation - Provisional Conditional eba Form

Provisional Conditional eba Form

The eba provisional conditional form is characterized by the final -u becoming -eba for all verbs (with the semi-exception of -tsu verbs becoming -teba).

• na adjectives and nouns are usually used with the なら nara conditional, instead of with であれば de areba.
• The なければ nakereba form used for the negative form can be colloquially contracted to なきゃ nakya or なくちゃ nakucha. Thus 行かなければ ikanakereba can become 行かなきゃ ikanakya.

Usage

The -eba provisional conditional form is used in conditionals where the emphasis rests more on the condition than the result. For example:

• 何すればいいか nani sureba ii ka: "What should I do?" (lit. "It would be good if I did what?")
• 分かればいい wakareba ii: "As long as you understand" (lit. "If you understand, it is good.")
• 時間があれば買い物をしよう jikan ga areba, kaimono wo shiyō: "If there's time, let's go shopping."

The nakereba negative conditional form means "if not X" or also "unless X". It is obtained by replacing the final -i of the plain negative form with -kereba. (tabenakereba: "if I don't eat" or "unless I eat")

The conditional is also called the "provisional form" in some grammars, because the implied condition is "provided that X happens" (mireba shiru: "provided that you see, you'll know" = "if you see, you'll know").