不定式作状语,可表示目的、原因、条件或结果等。如:
In order to pass the exam, he worked hard.
为了通过考试,他认真学习。(目的状语)
We were excited to hear the news.
听到这消息我们很高兴。(原因状语)
To look at him, you would like him.
看到他,你就会喜欢他。(条件状语)
I hurried home to find Mary waiting for me.
我匆忙赶到家发现玛丽在等我。(结果状语)
充当结果状语的不定式前有时带有only, 构成“only + 不定式”结构,在使用这一结构时,应注意以下几点:
1. 当“only + 不定式”作结果状语时,它表示的是一个相反的或出乎意料的结果,通常是一种令人失望的后果。意为“不料……; 反而……; 想不到……; 结果却……”。如:
He ran to the station only to find the train had left.
他跑到车站结果却发现火车已经开了。
2. “only + 不定式”可用逗号将其与前面的成分隔开。如:
He rushed to the school gate, only to discover that it was locked.
他冲到学校门口,却发现门已锁上。
We walked a long way to see him, only to find that he had just left for the countryside.
我们走了很长一段路去看他,没想到他刚好下乡了。
3. “only + 不定式”作结果状语时,也可以改成but连接的并列结构。如:
He worked hard only to fail at last. = He worked hard but failed at last.
他工作很勤奋,结果却失败了。
4. “only + 不定式”中的only有时也可以省略,其意思不变。如:
He got home (only) to learn that his father had been dead for two days.
他到家后得知父亲已去世两天了。
另外,我们也经常见到 “only + 动词-ing形式”结构,该结构表示一个自然而然的或意料之中的情况或结果。如:
He fell off the bike, only hurting his waist.
他从自行车上摔了下来,摔伤了腰。
Bob dropped the bowl, only breaking it to pieces.
鲍勃把盘子掉到了地上,摔成了碎片。
显然,“only + 动词-ing形式”结构作结果状语,通常强调谓语动词所导致的结果,谓语动词和动词-ing形式之间侧重因果关系,而非转折关系。