となったら・
Something stops being just an idea: it is decided, or it is really in front of you. So you turn to what it will take.
if it actually comes to
If the transfer to the island really goes ahead, we'll need to start looking for a place to live early.
when it comes to
When it comes to actually doing it yourself, it's pretty hard.
a set phrase
If it comes to it, we can just take a taxi home.
How to form it
Plain form／noun + となったら／となれば／となると
A noun goes straight on, with no だ: 代表となると, 中止となれば.
- Before it
- A move, a wedding, a new job, a closure, often after 本当に, 実際に or いざ.
- After it
- What it will take or bring: 必要だ, なければならない, 大変だ, お金がかかる.
- Where you'll meet it
- Conversation, meetings, news commentary.
In use
If the budget is cut in half, the plan itself will have to be rethought.
If my son really is going to live on his own overseas, I want to check the insurance and housing paperwork too.
If one person is going to run every store, the current setup won't cope.
となると、 alone answers what you have just heard: "in that case", "so that means".
I hear Tanaka can't come tomorrow.
In that case, we have no one who can drive.
When it comes to
Said in general, となると sets one case apart: the rest is fine, but this is another matter. A bare noun is common.
I can speak English, but when it comes to French I'm hopeless.
Which of the three?
They differ much as たら, ば and と do. となったら is the everyday one, and a request or a plan can follow it. となると is for what follows by itself: the usual one for "when it comes to", and not the one for a request. となれば leans toward careful speech and writing, though いざとなれば is everyday.
If you do end up moving, tell me and I'll come and help.
Not for small things
たら is "if" or "when" for anything, however small, and なら takes up an idea and answers it. となると needs weight: something that brings work, cost or a decision.
If I get married, I'd want it to be to someone kind.
Only an "if".
When it actually comes to getting married, all sorts of things cost money.
The real thing, and all that comes with it.
Close neighbours
Pure supposition: nobody says it will happen. となったら is for something that looks set to become real.
If we were to go to Kyoto, when would be good?
のこととなるとN2
With のこと it is about a person: bring up this one subject and they change.
When it comes to games, my little brother gets completely absorbed.
Check yourself
1Which one fits?
家に
Choose an answer to see why.
2Which one fits?
本当に
Choose an answer to see why.
More sentences
If the new system really is to be brought in, the staff should be told about it first.
If he becomes the representative, the way the talks are run will probably change too.
If the branch really is to be closed, we will have to notify its users quickly.
If the venue is changed, everyone taking part will need to be told.
If raw-material prices go on rising like this, we will have no choice but to think about raising our prices too.