Structure
Verb［ば］(1) + Verb + ものを(2)
Verb［ば］(1) + ［い］Adjective + ものを(2)
Verb［ば］(1) + ［な］Adjective + な + ものを(2)
Verb［ば］(1) + Noun + の + ものを(2)
(1) Verb［たら］、Verb + と
(2) ものを
Details
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Standard
Rare Kanji
物
About ものを
ものを is a grammar point that functions in a similar way to のに in that it will express that (A) is something that was desired, despite (B) being the actual result. However, it is primarily used when the speaker is trying to convey their displeasure at the result of (B), due to (A) being something that by all means should have happened.
ものを will be translated as 'if only (A)', or '(A), but (B)'. Despite being a construction of もの and the adverbial particle を, ものを is often considered as a standalone conjunction particle. It can be seen following verbs or い-Adjectives in their standard form, or な-Adjectives followed by な.
As can be seen in the above examples, ものを is almost always preceded by hypothetical structures such as ば at some point leading up to its use.
Caution
ものを will often be seen at the end of sentences, with what would have come after it being left unspoken. In these cases, the important information is still there, as the (A) part of the sentence will always highlight what the ideal result was. Because of this, it can be safely assumed that the speaker is just frustrated that (A) didn't happen.
- 素直に認めていればいいものを...I should have just been honest, but… (I should have just been honest, but instead I continued to lie)
Fun Fact
The adverbial particle を is often used this way in Japanese, where no specific action is linked to it. In these situations it usually just indicates an ideal or goal to which the method of achieving it (the verb that would usually be attached to を) is omitted. ものを can be thought of as an extension of this in literally meaning 'to that which was (A)', with 'I wish it had happened' being unsaid.
- 政治ポスター： 日本を前へ。Political poster: Japan forward. (Verb omitted but obvious from context, the positive improvement of Japan)
Examples
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「嫌いなものがあったなら、そう言ってくれればいいものを...」
'If there was something you didn't like, you should have said so, but…'
父は息子に言う：「RINEでメッセージをしてくれたら迎えに行ってあげたもんを...
Father speaking to his son: 'If you had messaged me on Rine, I would have picked you up, but… (you didn't).'
犯罪コメディ映画、トニー：「まったく、ボリス、おとなしく死んでおればいいものを...」
Crime comedy movie, Tony: 'Dear God, Boris, it would have been good if you had just shut up and died, but…'
「もっと早くタバコをやめれば健康問題なしに済んだものを、手遅れになってしまった。」
'If I had quit smoking much earlier I would have ended up without any health problems, but now it is too late.'
「彼が君に謝ったのなら許すべきものを、子供じゃあるまいし、無視するなんてひどすぎるよ。」
'You are not a child! If he is apologizing, you should forgive him, but ignoring him is too cruel!'
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