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N3

としたら・とすれば・とすると

If it were the case that, Assuming that...

来週らいしゅう出でかけるとしたらどこに行いきたい?

If we were to go out next week, where would you want to go?

Explanation

「としたら / とすれば / とすると」 all mean 'if it were the case that...'. You set up a premise that differs from reality or is not settled yet, then say what follows. 「としたら」 is the most hypothetical, often for ideas contrary to reality or for imaginary questions: 「もし生まれ変われるとしたら、何になりたい?」 (If you could be reborn, what would you want to be?). 「とすれば」 is more written, for reasoning and analysing conditions. 「とすると」 follows a logical line to a result.

Mixed up with

「たら / なら」 can be used for things that will surely happen: 「春になったら」 (when spring comes). 「としたら」 is always an assumption made in your head ('suppose this were true').

After 「とすると」 you cannot put requests or will such as 「~てください」, 「~たい」, 「~なさい」. Follow it with an objective inference or a fact.

Examples

  1. 無料むりょうだとすれば、人ひとが大勢おおぜい来くる。

    If we suppose it was free, lots of people would come.

  2. 留学りゅうがくに行いくとすると、論文ろんぶんが必要ひつよう。

    Assuming that you study abroad, an essay is necessary.

  3. 付つき合あうとしたら、田中たなかさんと山田やまださんどっちがいい?

    If you were to date Tanaka or Yamada, who would you choose?

Tested 3 times in past papers

N1 · Jul 2017, Q27N3 · Dec 2016, Q37N2 · Jul 2016, Q42