SuGoiSuす語彙すGrammar › N1 · 12 Inference and judgment
〜ものを: but; if only
N1 · 12 Inference and judgment
Complains about a result that went against what should have been, often with regret.
Plain form (な-adjective with な) + ものを, used as a clause end or sentence end. Often follows conditional ideas: 言ってくれればいいものを (if you had only told me). Spoken, a little regretful or critical. Different from the noun もの.
Examples
言ってくれれば手伝ったものを、なぜ黙っていたのか。
I would have helped if you had told me; why did you stay quiet?
素直に謝ればすむものを、彼は意地を張っている。
All he has to do is apologize honestly, and yet he is being stubborn.