〜さえ〜ば
If only 〜さえ〜ば
Meaning
"If only ~", "as long as just ~" — one sufficient condition.
Formation
[noun] さえ + [verb ば-form] · [verb ます-stem] + さえすれば · [te-form] + さえいれば
Notes
さえ attaches to the one crucial element and the verb goes into ば-form. For verbs the frame is 〜さえすれば. The main clause then follows automatically, with nothing else required.
Examples
お金（かね）さえあれば、何（なん）でも買（か）えます。
If only you have money, you can buy anything.
Breakdown
天気（てんき）さえよければ、出（で）かけましょう。
As long as the weather is fine, let us go out.
Breakdown
薬（くすり）を飲（の）みさえすれば、すぐ治（なお）ります。
You will get better straight away if you just take the medicine.
Breakdown
君（きみ）さえいてくれれば、ほかに何（なに）もいりません。
As long as you are here, I need nothing else.
Breakdown
練習（れんしゅう）さえすれば、誰（だれ）でもできるようになります。
If you just practise, anyone can learn to do it.
Breakdown
⚠️ Often confused with
〜と、〜
Conditional と (whenever / when)
Two uses: (1) natural/habitual consequence — "whenever A happens, B happens"; (2) discover...
〜ば
Conditional 〜ば (if / whenever)
A general conditional — "if A, then B". Formed from the hypothetical form (仮定形) of the...
〜たら
Conditional 〜たら (if / when / after)
The most versatile conditional. "If/when A happens, B". Formed from the ta-form stem + ら....
〜なら
Conditional 〜なら (if / given that)
A conditional based on the listener's stated or known information — "if it's the case that...
〜ても / 〜でも
Even if 〜ても
"Even if A, B" / "no matter if A". Indicates that B happens regardless of A. The result is...
〜場合は
In case 〜場合は
"In the event that ~ / in the case that ~". Used to discuss what to do in a particular (of...
〜ないことには
Unless 〜ないことには
"Unless ~", "without first ~ing" — nothing can proceed until this happens.
〜としたら / 〜とすれば
Supposing 〜としたら
"Supposing ~", "if we assume ~" — reasoning from a hypothetical.
〜てからでないと
Not until 〜てからでないと
"Not until ~", "unless ~ is done first" — a precondition that must come first.