〜も〜ば〜も / 〜も〜なら〜も
mo … ba … mo / mo … nara … mo
By Nihongo PathUpdated
This form is also taught at JLPT N2, where it carries a different sense or register.
Meaning
both… and… / not only… but… (listing two similar things)
〜も〜ば〜も lists two things that point the same way: 英語も話せれば、中国語も話せる "he can speak English, and Chinese too". Both items are good, or both are bad; you do not mix. The first item takes も + ば-form (or なら for nouns and な-adjectives), the second takes も.
Descriptions of people, places and situations in speech and writing. The set 〜もあれば〜もある means "there are some…, and there are others…" (いい時もあれば、悪い時もある).
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
Noun + も + Verb-ば + Noun + も + Verb (話せれば〜も話せる)Noun + も + い-adjective -ければ + Noun + も (安ければ〜もいい)Noun + も + な-adjective / Noun + なら + Noun + も (親切なら〜も)〜もあれば〜もある (some…, others…)
Visual diagram
- 値段もitem 1 + も
- 安ければば-form
- 味もitem 2 + も
- いいpredicate
Natural examples
彼は英語も話せれば、中国語も話せる。
かれはえいごもはなせれば、ちゅうごくごもはなせる。
He can speak English, and Chinese too.
Two abilities, both positive.
この店は値段も安ければ、味もいい。
このみせはねだんもやすければ、あじもいい。
This place is cheap, and the food is good too.
Two merits of the same shop.
人生にはいい時もあれば、悪い時もある。
じんせいにはいいときもあれば、わるいときもある。
In life there are good times and there are bad times.
〜もあれば〜もある: some good times, some bad.
彼は頭もよければ、性格もいい。
かれはあたまもよければ、せいかくもいい。
He is smart, and he has a good personality too.
い-adjective: よい → よければ.
この仕事は給料も安ければ、休みも少ない。
このしごとはきゅうりょうもやすければ、やすみもすくない。
This job pays little, and there are few days off as well.
Both items negative: the pattern also works for complaints.
Similar grammar and the difference
Also 'not only… but also', but the two items may differ in nature. 〜も〜ば〜も stresses that both share the same evaluation. Compare side by side
〜し、〜し
Casual listing of reasons; less structured.
Casual, non-exhaustive examples; no parallel evaluation. Compare side by side
Common mistakes
- ✗
- この店は安ければ、味も悪い。
- ✓
- この店は安いが、味は悪い。
- Why
- The two items must share the same evaluation. Cheap (good) and bad taste (bad) do not match, so use a contrast.
- ✗
- 英語が話せれば、中国語も話せる。(as this pattern)
- ✓
- 英語も話せれば、中国語も話せる。
- Why
- The first item needs も; with が the sentence becomes a plain conditional 'if he can speak English…'.
- ✗
- 親切ければ
- ✓
- 親切なら
- Why
- な-adjectives use なら (or であれば), not ければ.
Some/others: 賛成する人もいれば、反対する人もいる. In writing, なら can be replaced with であれば. The verb after the second も is often the same as or similar to the first.
JLPT N3 tips
On the exam
- The first blank after Noun + も needs a ば-form; check the choices for 〜ば / 〜ければ / なら.
- Both halves must be positive or both negative; a mismatch signals a different pattern.
- The set phrase 〜もいれば〜もいる is common in 読解 to describe a variety of people.
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜も〜ば〜も / 〜も〜なら〜も mean?
both… and… / not only… but… (listing two similar things). 〜も〜ば〜も lists two things that point the same way: 英語も話せれば、中国語も話せる "he can speak English, and Chinese too". Both items are good, or both are bad; you do not mix. The first item takes も + ば-form (or なら for nouns and な-adjectives), the second takes も.
How do you form 〜も〜ば〜も / 〜も〜なら〜も?
Noun + も + Verb-ば + Noun + も + Verb (話せれば〜も話せる) / Noun + も + い-adjective -ければ + Noun + も (安ければ〜もいい) / Noun + も + な-adjective / Noun + なら + Noun + も (親切なら〜も) / 〜もあれば〜もある (some…, others…). V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜も〜ば〜も / 〜も〜なら〜も used?
Descriptions of people, places and situations in speech and writing. The set 〜もあれば〜もある means "there are some…, and there are others…" (いい時もあれば、悪い時もある).
What is the difference between 〜も〜ば〜も / 〜も〜なら〜も and 〜だけでなく〜も?
Also 'not only… but also', but the two items may differ in nature. 〜も〜ば〜も stresses that both share the same evaluation.
What is the difference between 〜も〜ば〜も / 〜も〜なら〜も and 〜し、〜し?
Casual listing of reasons; less structured.
What is a common mistake with 〜も〜ば〜も / 〜も〜なら〜も?
Wrong: この店は安ければ、味も悪い。 Right: この店は安いが、味は悪い。 The two items must share the same evaluation. Cheap (good) and bad taste (bad) do not match, so use a contrast.
Quick check
彼女は料理も（ ）、掃除も上手だ。