Use of ら conditional form plus ならmKkumeYy g4.:toGg TraKk Rr NFf Zz p Qwi g Ld E Lx le
I need some help with the grammar in this sentence:
ボストンに居たらなら, 何で会いに来なかったんだい。.
I understand the conditional -たら form and the なら conditional alone. But I have not seen the two together.
Does the sentence simply mean If you were in Boston why didn't you come to see me? If so, why are both conditionals used? Is this for emphasis?
Thanks
1 Answer
「ボストンに居{い}たらなら, 何で会いに来なかったんだい。」
「居たらなら」 is incorrect. At least, it is highly substandard because there is no point in using both 「たら」 and 「なら」.
The correct and standard forms would be:
・「居たのなら」
・「居たんなら」 (informal form of above)
・「居たなら」
While it is true that a very small group of native speakers use 「たらなら」 occasionally, I would personally never recommend that Japanese-learners use it. If one did, people would notice it.
The sentence means exactly what you stated.
If so, why are both conditionals used? Is this for emphasis?
It is only a misuse; It is not for emphasis. Then again, people who use that "double-if" may actually are aiming for emphasis. It beats me.
