～くらいなら

How to form it

• Verb (dictionary form) + くらいなら / ぐらいなら

Register: Neutral; spoken

Explanation

Says that the action in the first part is so undesirable that the speaker would prefer the other option in the second part.

The first action is something the speaker strongly dislikes. The second clause offers an alternative that is preferable.

Examples

1. 途中でやめるくらいなら、最初からやらない方がいい。

   とちゅうでやめるくらいなら、さいしょからやらないほうがいい。

   If you're going to quit midway, it's better not to start at all.

2. 彼に頼むくらいなら、自分でやる。

   かれにたのむくらいなら、じぶんでやる。

   Rather than ask him, I'll do it myself.

3. 嫌々行くくらいなら、行かない方がましだ。

   いやいやいくくらいなら、いかないほうがましだ。

   If you're going to go reluctantly, it's better not to go.

Compare with

• ～ものなら: ものなら is a difficult 'if'; くらいなら compares two undesirable options.

Common mistakes

• Using it with a positive first action. The first action is disliked.