できれば / できたら | Grammar

Structure

できれば、[sentence] できたら、[sentence]

Description

できれば means "if possible": it stands at the start of a sentence, in front of a request or a wish, and leaves the other person room to say no. It is the ば-form of できる; できたら, the たら-form, means the same.

、。

If possible, I would like a reply by tomorrow.

、きごう？

If you can, could you help me?

。

I'd like to go home early if I can.

。

If possible, I'd like to live in Japan.

できれば, できたら and 可能であれば

The two forms work in the same places. できれば sounds a little more careful and suits a business email; できたら is more conversational. In written requests and notices, the formal choice is かのう可能であれば.

、。

If possible, I'd like a window seat.

、。

If possible, please send the materials in advance.

is close, and suits a wish that may well not come true: "if it were at all possible".

、。

If I could, I'd go back to my student days.

Examples

、。

If possible, I'd like to meet on the weekend.

、きごう？

If possible, could you make it a little cheaper?

。

If possible, I'd like to go by train.

。

If possible, I'd like you to change it to next Monday.

、。

If possible, I want to spend time quietly by myself.

、きごう？

If possible, could you speak in Japanese?

。

If possible, I'm thinking I'd like to participate.

、。

If possible, it would help if you could come a little earlier.

、。

If possible, I want to finish it by the end of today.

、。

If possible, I'd like to request a window seat.

。

If possible, I'd like to get better without taking medicine.

、。

If possible, I'd like to go on a trip abroad during summer vacation.

References

できれば-できたらBunpro