JLPT N1

～ものを

Should have X; even though (regret)

Structure

Verb-dictionary/た/ている form + ものを / い-adjective + ものを / な-adjective + な + ものを / Noun + な + ものを

How it works

This grammar point expresses regret or dissatisfaction about a situation, implying that a different (often better or simpler) course of action could have been taken, but wasn't. It often carries a nuance of criticism or 'why didn't you...?'

Examples

一言謝れば済むものを、どうして意地を張るんだ。

You could have settled it with just an apology, why are you being so stubborn?

Common mistakes

Using it for simple factual statements; it always carries a feeling of regret, blame, or 'it would have been better if...'.

Tip

Think of it as 'even though X was possible/should have happened, Y happened instead (regrettably)'.

More JLPT N1 grammar

いかんによらずをもってをものともせずともなるとであれたりとも~ないに足る極まりない

See ～ものを in real Japanese

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