とあればif it is for …; if need be
"If it is for …", "if that is what it takes": a condition you can't say no to, then what you will do about it. Resolute, a little grand. The everyday word is なら.
If it is for his family, he is ready even to work far from home.
If it is necessary for safety, we will suspend service for a time.
How to form it
Noun／plain form + とあれば
A noun or な-adjective goes straight on: 頼みとあれば, 必要とあれば. After a verb: 誰も引き受けないとあれば.
- Before it
- A person, a cause or a need you can't turn down: 〜のため (for the sake of), 〜の頼み (a request from), 必要 (necessary).
- After it
- What someone will do, must do or can't refuse: 何でもする, 〜わけにはいかない, 〜ざるを得ない.
- Said about
- Your own resolve, or someone else's devotion.
- Where you'll meet it
- Speeches, declarations, novels. At work, in 必要とあれば (if need be) and ご希望とあれば (if you wish), where the routine word is であれば.
とあって or とあれば?
Alike to look at. とあって reports a fact; とあれば is an "if".
とあってN1
A fact, and the result people saw. No "I will" or request can follow.
It was their old teacher asking, and his former students turned out in numbers.
とあればN1This page
An "if" you can't refuse, and what you will do or must do.
If it is my old teacher asking, I can hardly say no.
In use
If the request comes from the department head, I will have it finished tonight.
If you wish, we will send you a sample.
If no one else will take it on, I will take the responsibility.
Weightier than なら
I'd do anything for my children.
What people say.
If it is for my children, I will do anything.
The same, as a declaration.
With a small matter とあれば sounds theatrical. An ordinary "if" is なら or たら.
Close neighbours
"If it actually comes to that": what it will take in practice, not what you are ready to do.
If the budget is cut in half, the plan itself will have to be rethought.
Check yourself
1Which one fits?
君の
Choose an answer to see why.
2Which one fits?
の
Choose an answer to see why.
More detail
とあらば is an older form of the same word, alive in 必要とあらば and in period dramas.
If need be, I will explain it as many times as it takes.
とあって with は added changes sides: とあっては is an "if" like とあれば, usually followed by something that can't be helped.
If it is the president's order, we have no choice but to go along with it.
More sentences
If that is the only solution, we have no choice but to accept some losses.
If a long course of treatment is needed, I am prepared to take time off work.
If people's lives are in danger, we must call for an evacuation at once.