My grammar book says they both mean ‘if that’s the case...’ but it doesn’t
clarify the differences.

Thank you!
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2018-08-11T21:50:50.653
60806
2019-04-20T03:03:55.770
25348
question
grammar translation meaning word-choice
What is the difference between それでは and それなら
それなら implies that the speaker anticipated multiple possible answers, or didn't
anticipate what was just said. It's fundamentally more reactive.

```

    おなかすいたな (I'm hungry)
    それならご飯にしようか (if that's the case, let's have a lunch)
    
```

それでは can be interchangeably used here and when used like that, it sounds a bit
more formal than それなら.

In addition, それでは is also used in the context where the speaker is actively
suggesting/driving a topic.

```

    それでは試験を始めます (we shall begin the exam)
    
```
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-18T00:56:49.070
60931
2018-08-18T00:56:49.070
3059
60806
answer