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〜も〜ば〜も

both … and; some … and some

Noun も + ば-form、Noun も + Verb

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も〜ば〜も lists two things that are both true: 彼はお金もあれば、時間もある, "he has both money and time".

Each item takes も, and the first verb goes into the ば-form, often the same verb repeated: あれば…ある, いれば…いる.

It also describes variety: 人生にはいい時もあれば、悪い時もある, "in life there are good times and bad times"; 賛成する人もいれば、反対する人もいる, "some people are for it, and some against".

It's similar to し (N4) and to て-form lists, but more balanced and rhythmic. In grammar questions, spotting the first も is the clue that a ば-form is coming.

Examples

  • 彼かれはお金かねもあれば、時間じかんもある。

    He has both money and time.

  • 人生じんせいにはいい時ときもあれば、悪わるい時ときもある。

    In life, there are good times and bad times.

  • 彼女かのじょは歌うたも歌うたえば、ピアノも弾ひく。

    She sings, and she plays the piano too.

  • この町まちは海うみもあれば、山やまもある。

    This town has both the sea and the mountains.

  • 賛成さんせいする人ひともいれば、反対はんたいする人ひともいる。

    Some people are for it, and some are against.

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