A。それなら B。

A. Sore nara B.

JLPT N2 Chapter 97: In other words, which means, 3 of 8

Formation

Situation A (sentence) + 。それなら + Situation B (sentence)

Express 'if that's the case, then'; used to show a logical consequence or decision based on a given situation.

When to use

それなら: in that case, then (sentence-initial).

Explanation

The A。それなら B。grammar point is used to express a logical consequence or decision based on the given situation in the first part of the sentence (A). The phrase それなら can be translated as 'if that's the case', 'in that case', or 'then' in English.

Example sentences

試験しけんが近ちかい。それなら、もっと勉強べんきょうしなければならない。

The exam is coming soon. If that's the case, I must study more.

Shiken ga chikai. Sore nara, motto benkyou shinakereba naranai.
明日あしたは雨あめが降ふるだろう。それなら、傘かさを持もって行いこう。

It will probably rain tomorrow. In that case, let's bring an umbrella.

Ashita wa ame ga furudarou. Sore nara, kasa wo motte ikou.
彼かれらはもう帰かえった。それなら、私わたしも帰かえろう。

They have already left. If that's the case, I'll go home too.

Karera wa mou kaetta. Sore nara, watashi mo kaerou.
あのレストランは予約よやくがいっぱいだ。それなら、別べつの場所ばしょを探さがそう。

Reservations at that restaurant are full. In that case, let's find another place.

Ano resutoran wa yoyaku ga ippai da. Sore nara, betsu no basho wo sagasou.

Conditional (If / Assuming That)

Compare when to use each

Corpus examples (2)

いや、それなら僕ぼくがやってみよう。

Nay, then, I will try it.
なんで言いわれたことしかできないの？それならアンドロイドを雇やとったほうがマシだっての。

Why do they only do what others tell them to do? We might as well get a bunch of androids to do it for us.