紧接英语翻译之惯用法中的if从句(一),我们继续看下面的if用法。
三、if only和only if从句
1. if only从句常常用来表达对现实或未来的愿望,或表达与过去事实相反的愿望,可译为“只要”、“但愿”。
If only it clears up, we’ll go.只要放晴,我们就去。
We shall over-fulfill our quota if we only do our best. 只要尽力而为,我们就会超额完成指标。
If only I knew what he thought. 要是知道他想什么就好了。
If only you would listen to reason.你要是听得进道理就好了。
If only he had known about it!他那时要是知道这件事该多好啊!
2. only if从句可理解为“only on condition that…”,译成“只要”、“只有”,用于句首时,主句的主谓要到装。
Only if a boss has given permission is a worker allowed to enter this room.只有老板同意,工人才能进入这个房间。
The Third World countries will resist the imperialist menace only if they find a way to assure their prosperity and safeguard their liberty.只要第三世界国家能够设法保证他们的繁荣和捍卫他们的自由,它们就可以抵御帝国主义的威胁。
四、if + will(would)
1) if + will
1. if + will 从句中的will在现代英语里表示主语的意志,意思是“be disposed to”、“be willing to”或“choose to”;if you will 有时表示客气的请求。
Her real name, if you will believe me, is Mary Ann Evans. 如果你愿意相信我的话,她的真名叫玛丽安埃文斯。
If you will be kind enough to fill in this form, I’ll have your luggage brought in. 请填一下这张表,我会叫人把您的行李拿进来的。
If you will have it so, I have nothing to say against it.
如果你决心这样做,我没有什么反对话说。
2. 在类似“if it will suit you…”等句子里,will则是另一种用法,可理解为“if you think it suits you.”
I will come at 5 if it will suit you.如果你认为合适的话,我五点钟来。
I should like to try farming if it won’t cost too much. 如果不需要太多资金的话,我想试一试耕种。
2) if + would
虚拟语气的would表述主语的决心,可从三方面理解:
1. 与现在情况相反:
You could see it, if you would.如果你愿意的话,你能了解的。
I could do so, if I would. 如果我愿意的话,我是能那样做的。
2. 对于对方的意图不确定,表示盼望的意味:
If you would grant my request, I should esteem it a great favor.如果你愿意批准我的请求,我将认为这是极大的关怀。
3. if you would=if you wish to
If you would be successful in literature, spend much more time on it.你如果希望在文学方面取得策划能够供的话,那就多花点时间在上面。
If you would understand a nation, you must know its language.如果你打算了解一个国家,你必须精通该国的语言。
if的其他例句:
1. Even if you saw him pick up the money, you can't be sure he stole it.就算你看见他拾起的钱,你也不能肯定钱就是他偷的。
2. I wonder if you could help me.我不知道你能不能帮我。
3. If they can do it, why not us? 他们做到的,我们也能。
4. If weather permit, we will go to the park tomorrow.如果天气好的话,明天我们去公园。
5. Let me know if I can help you.若需要帮助,请尽管告诉我。
6. If I were you, I would not go.如果我是你,我就不去。
总之,对于if这个词,大家还是需要多注意它的具体用法,使之真正成为自己数量掌握的词汇,在适当的时候使用适合的词汇,对于做翻译来说尤为重要。希望大家好好掌握它。