（a）If only you would try a little harder! (NCE)
(b) If only we could have gone to the party! (NCE)
我查了许多词典，例如，《英语惯用法大词典》、《现代英语用法词典》，它们在讲 if only 条目时，只是讲到了 if only 引出感叹句的用法。这是不是说，if only 不能像单纯的 if 那样引出一般的条件状语从句呢？
if only 常常用来表示感叹性的愿望,但并非总是用惊叹号。
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If only Tessa was here now. (LEG) 要是特萨现在在这儿,那该多好!
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If only he didn't drive so fast. (PEG) 要是他开车开得不那么快就好了。
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If only she and Hubert had enough sense of humour! 要是她和休伯特有足够的幽默感,那该多好!
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If only I'd listened to my parents! (CGEL) 要是那时我听了父母的话就好了。
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If only he had arrived in time! (OSD) 要是那时他及时到达就好了。
但是, if only 仅仅是 if 的强化形式, 它不仅能表达说话人的愿望, 而且还能表达条件。因此, 它同 if 一样, 也能引出条件状语从句。
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If only you would help me next week, I would not be so nervous. 如果下周你能帮助我，我就不会很紧张了。
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If only they were here now, we would be able to celebrate their wedding anniversary. (CGEL) 如果他们现在在这里, 我们就能庆祝他们的结婚纪念日了。
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I am always amazed when I hear people saying that sport creates goodwill between the nations, and that if only the common peoples of the world could meet one another at football or cricket, they would have no inclination to meet on the battlefield. (New Concept English, Book 4. L. 7) 每当我听到人们说运动会创造国与国之间的友好关系，要是世界上平民百姓在足球场或板球场上相遇，他们就无意在战场上兵刃相见的时候，我总是感到惊讶不已。
请做下面的英语试题：
If only the committee ____ the regulations and put them into effect as soon as possible.
A. approve B. will approve C. can approve D. would approve(全国四级,97.1-47) if only
（a）If only the weather would change. (NCE)
(b) If only somebody had told us, we could have warned you. (CGEL)
我所见到的 if only 从句都是虚拟条件句, 它能否用作真实条件句呢(我在 CGEL 中也没有查到)?
if only 从句大都用作虚拟条件从句,但是偶尔也能见到用作真实条件句的情形。例如:
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If only he gets this job, it will make a great deal of difference. (LEG) 他要是能得到这个工作，情况就会大不相同。
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If only we can get to the next petrol-station we'll be all right. 要是我们能到下一个加油站,我们就好办了。
这里顺便指出，在表示感叹性愿望的句子里偶尔也有使用陈述语气的。例如：
If only he will listen to her. (PEG) 要是他愿意听她的话就好了。请做下面的英语试题：
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I'm sure he is up to the job ____ he would give his mind to it. A. if only B. in case C. until D. unless(全国四级,98.1-45)
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Look at the trouble I am in! If only I ____ your advice. A. followed B. would follow C. had followed D. should follow(上海高考,03 春 -40)