とIf and when
Whenever this, then that
と links a cause to what naturally follows: press the button, and the door opens. The result is out of your hands.
The pattern
When A happens, B automatically follows
The condition
春になるとHaru ni naru toWhen spring comes…
What naturally happens
花が咲きます。Hana ga sakimasu.…flowers bloom.
Forms
Plain present + と
It stays in the present form even when the sentence is about the past.
| Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Verb | 行くと, 行かないと |
| い adjective | 高いと |
| な adjective | 静かだと |
| Noun | 学生だと |
In use
と links facts
Press this button and the door opens.
When I drink, my face goes red.
Turn right and there's a bank.
Handy for directions.
When I opened the window, I saw it was snowing.
With a past ending, it reports a discovery.
The big limit
No commands or plans after と
Because と leads to something automatic, the second half can't be your request, suggestion, invitation, or decision. 駅に着くと電話してください is wrong. Use たら for those: 駅に着いたら電話してください.
Linking two sentences
すると
Like と, すると can't lead to a command or suggestion. それでは can.
I pressed the button. Then the light came on.
What happened next.
This shop is closed tomorrow. In that case, I have to buy it today.
A conclusion, drawn from what someone said.
Check yourself
Is と natural here?
When winter comes, it snows.
Your turn
と or たら?
When spring comes, it gets warmer.
Say it yourself
Giving directions
A tourist asks the way to the post office. Tell them to go straight along this road, turn left, and the post office is there.
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