JLPT N1 Grammar

〜ものを (mono o)

〜ものを (mono o)
“even though; if only; despite the fact that...”

This expression is used to express the speaker's regret, dissatisfaction, or mild criticism regarding a situation that didn't go as planned. It highlights a hypothetical or expected outcome that would have been better if only a certain action had been taken or a certain condition had been met.

  • Formality: Neutral to Formal (Written and Spoken). While often used in emotional spoken outbursts, it is also frequently found in written reports or post-mortem analyses of business failures.
  • Context: Business (reviewing missed targets or project delays), strategic planning (analyzing failed hypotheses), or personal reflection.
  • Nuance: It carries a strong sense of "it’s a pity" or "if only they had..." It often implies that the actual result was unfavorable and that the speaker is frustrated by the missed opportunity or the lack of foresight.

Format

  • Verb (Plain Form) + ものを
    早く言えばいいものを、彼は黙っていた。 He should have said something sooner, but he kept quiet.
  • な-Adjective + ものを
    静かであればいいものを、彼は大声で歌い出した。 It would have been fine if he stayed quiet, but he started singing loudly.
  • い-Adjective + ものを
    安い時に買えばいいものを、高くなってから買った。 I should have bought it when it was cheap, but I bought it after it became expensive.
  • Noun + な + ものを
    日曜日なものを、彼は仕事をしている。 Even though it's Sunday, he is working.

Example sentences

  • 、。
    If only we had analyzed the competitors' trends, we could have prevented this, but we carelessly entered the market and failed.
  • 、。
    If only he had consulted me, I could have helped, but he took it all on himself and burned out.
  • 、。
    Despite the fact that the performance is outstanding, it doesn't sell at all because the design is outdated.
  • 、。
    If only we had made the corrections at the prototype stage, it would have been cheap to fix, but the defect was found after mass production.
  • 、。
    They should have made a decision much sooner, but the deliberations of upper management dragged on and the opportunity was lost.

Similar Grammar

〜のに (no ni)

“Even though; despite...”
一生懸命勉強したのに、不合格だった。 Although I studied hard, I failed.

Difference:

  • A general-purpose particle for contradiction.
  • While it can express regret, 〜ものを specifically emphasizes a hypothetical "better" outcome and carries a stronger tone of lament or criticism.

〜ばいいのに (ba ii no ni)

“I wish...; you should...”
もっと早く寝ればいいのに、彼は夜更かしをしている。 He should go to bed earlier, but he's staying up late.

Difference:

  • Used to give advice or express a wish about the present or future.
  • 〜ものを is almost always used to reflect on a past event that cannot be changed.

〜ものを (mono o) vs 〜ものの (mono no)

"although," "even though,", "despite the fact that."
手術は成功したものの、まだ油断はできない。 Although the surgery was a success, we cannot be complacent yet.

Difference:

  • 〜ものの (mono no) means "although" but is a simple conjunction of facts (e.g., "I went, but it was closed").
  • It lacks the emotional nuance of regret or "if only" found in 〜ものを.

〜と思いきや (to omoikiya)

“I thought... but unexpectedly...”
もう帰ったと思いきや、彼はまだ会社にいた。 I thought he had already gone home, but he was still at the office.

Difference:

  • Focuses on the element of surprise when a result differs from an expectation. It doesn't necessarily imply regret.

〜まじき (majiki)

“Must not; should not (from a moral/professional standpoint)”
それは許すまじき行為だ。 That is an unforgivable act.

Difference:

  • Used to criticize an action as being unacceptable for someone in a certain position.
  • It is more about professional ethics than missed opportunities.

JLPT Practice Questions

Now let’s test your understanding.

Q1. にをいれば（　　　）、がてがした。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q2. してくれればに（　　　）、なぜいたのか。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q3. （　　　）、そのはにをいる。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q4. にしていればはして（　　　）、をしたためにしまった。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q5. のをい（　　　）、がいない。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q6. のをに（　　　）、こんなはしなかっただろうに。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q7. はを（　　　）、のににしている。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q8. をありのままに（　　　）、なをせいでを。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q9. なが（　　　）、的なができたはずだ。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q10. になれば（　　　）、そののはをことができなかった。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q11. はなをいる（　　　）、はをいる。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q12. のを（　　　）、のはばかりだ。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q13. のが（　　　）、またなをとはだ。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q14. が（　　　）、がをべきではない。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q15. （　　　）、的なをすべきだ。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Continue Your Journey to Native-Level Fluency

Great work finishing this session! Achieving N1-level precision is about layering these subtle distinctions until they become second nature in your professional life.

To maintain your momentum and eliminate any remaining blind spots, head back to our JLPT N1 Grammar List. Use it to systematically check off each point and refine your ability to navigate complex Japanese environments with the confidence of a native speaker.

JLPT N1 Grammar List

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