N4-G-045
Verb (plain form) + ばあいは (In the case of [Verb])
Core / Expressing Contingency & Conditions
👀 Layer A: Visual Guide
📝 Quick Summary
This grammar pattern connects to the Plain Form of a verb (Dictionary form, Nai-form, or Ta-form) to set up a specific hypothetical scenario or contingency. It translates to “In the case that…” or “In the event of…” and is heavily used in official notices, instructions, and rules.
Structure: [Verb Plain Form] + ばあいは
Example 1: でんしゃが おくれた ばあいは、れんらくして ください (In the event that the train is delayed, please contact us).
Example 2: つかわない ばあいは、けして ください (In the case that you are not using it, please turn it off).
🔗 Connected Grammar:
🔍 Layer B: Deepening
💡 Raya’s Hack
Treat BAAI as a Noun!
The word baai (場合) is fundamentally a noun meaning “case” or “situation.” Because of this, it follows standard noun-modifying rules across all word classes:
– Verbs (Plain): 遅れた 場合 (okureta baai – in case of delay)
– い-adjectives: 悪い 場合 (warui baai – in case it is bad)
– な-adjectives: 必要な 場合 (hitsuyou na baai – in case it is necessary)
– Nouns: 火事の 場合 (kaji no baai – in case of fire)
🚧 Joy’s Mistake
Scene: Joy is writing a customer help note.
Joy: 「使い方が わかりません ばあいは、聞いてください。」
(Tsukaikata ga wakarimasen baai wa, kiite kudasai.)
❌ Used polite form before ばあい!
Why?
Joy used the polite form wakarimasen right before baai wa. Clauses modifying a noun like baai MUST be in the Plain Form (Short form).
Correct: 「使い方が わからない ばあいは、聞いてください。」 (In the event that you don’t understand how to use it, please ask.)
🔥 Layer C: Retrieval Practice Loop
Retrieve and apply! Express conditions and contingencies. (Hiragana and English only)
Level 1: Structure Building (Verb Plain + ばあいは)
Q1. In the case of rain falling (ふります ➡️ ふる)
Q2. In case of being delayed (おくれました ➡️ おくれた)
Q3. In case you don’t understand (わかりません ➡️ わからない)
Q4. In case you don’t use it (つかいません ➡️ つかわない)
Q5. In case of losing it (なくしました ➡️ なぐした)
Level 2: Full Sentences
Q6. In the case that it rains, the event is canceled. (あめが ふる / ちゅうしです)
Q7. In the event that the train is delayed, please contact us. (でんしゃが おくれた)
Q8. In the event that you don’t understand, please ask the teacher. (わからない)
Q9. In case you don’t use the computer, please turn it off. (つかわない / けす)
Q10. In case you lose your ticket, please buy it once more. (きっぷを なくした)
