不定式作狀語(yǔ),可表示目的、原因、條件或結(jié)果等。如:
In order to pass the exam, he worked hard.
為了通過(guò)考試,他認(rèn)真學(xué)習(xí)。(目的狀語(yǔ))
We were excited to hear the news.
聽(tīng)到這消息我們很高興。(原因狀語(yǔ))
To look at him, you would like him.
看到他,你就會(huì)喜歡他。(條件狀語(yǔ))
I hurried home to find Mary waiting for me.
我匆忙趕到家發(fā)現(xiàn)瑪麗在等我。(結(jié)果狀語(yǔ))
充當(dāng)結(jié)果狀語(yǔ)的不定式前有時(shí)帶有only, 構(gòu)成“only + 不定式”結(jié)構(gòu),在使用這一結(jié)構(gòu)時(shí),應(yīng)注意以下幾點(diǎn):
1. 當(dāng)“only + 不定式”作結(jié)果狀語(yǔ)時(shí),它表示的是一個(gè)相反的或出乎意料的結(jié)果,通常是一種令人失望的后果。意為“不料……; 反而……; 想不到……; 結(jié)果卻……”。如:
He ran to the station only to find the train had left.
他跑到車站結(jié)果卻發(fā)現(xiàn)火車已經(jīng)開(kāi)了。
2. “only + 不定式”可用逗號(hào)將其與前面的成分隔開(kāi)。如:
He rushed to the school gate, only to discover that it was locked.
他沖到學(xué)校門口,卻發(fā)現(xiàn)門已鎖上。
We walked a long way to see him, only to find that he had just left for the countryside.
我們走了很長(zhǎng)一段路去看他,沒(méi)想到他剛好下鄉(xiāng)了。
3. “only + 不定式”作結(jié)果狀語(yǔ)時(shí),也可以改成but連接的并列結(jié)構(gòu)。如:
He worked hard only to fail at last. = He worked hard but failed at last.
他工作很勤奮,結(jié)果卻失敗了。
4. “only + 不定式”中的only有時(shí)也可以省略,其意思不變。如:
He got home (only) to learn that his father had been dead for two days.
他到家后得知父親已去世兩天了。
另外,我們也經(jīng)常見(jiàn)到 “only + 動(dòng)詞-ing形式”結(jié)構(gòu),該結(jié)構(gòu)表示一個(gè)自然而然的或意料之中的情況或結(jié)果。如:
He fell off the bike, only hurting his waist.
他從自行車上摔了下來(lái),摔傷了腰。
Bob dropped the bowl, only breaking it to pieces.
鮑勃把盤子掉到了地上,摔成了碎片。
顯然,“only + 動(dòng)詞-ing形式”結(jié)構(gòu)作結(jié)果狀語(yǔ),通常強(qiáng)調(diào)謂語(yǔ)動(dòng)詞所導(dǎo)致的結(jié)果,謂語(yǔ)動(dòng)詞和動(dòng)詞-ing形式之間側(cè)重因果關(guān)系,而非轉(zhuǎn)折關(guān)系。