《大学英语四级水平测试试题集》(新题型)(上外社,p.94)有一道题:
____ Mr. Le had told me yesterday, I would have given him some help, but now it is too late.
A. Only if B. Only that C. Only just D. Only when
答案为 A。但我对此答案抱怀疑态度。
该书给的答案是错误的,其余的三个选项也不能入选。要知道 only if 从句位于主句之前时,主句的谓语动词需要部分倒装:
-
Only if Pete goes will she go. (CIDE) 只有彼特去, 她才去。
-
Only if the red light comes on is there any danger to employees. (OALED) 只有红灯亮时,职工才会有危险。
-
“Only if you pass the examination and become a college student, will I accept you as a friend,” said she to him. “只有你考取大学，我才认你为朋友。”她对他说。
-
Bill asked me if I wanted to go too. I did, but only if I had a specific job. (Hillary, Living History) 比尔问我是否想去,我说想,不过必须有一份具体的工作。
实际上,上题的正确答案应当是 If only。例如:
If only she would listen to what I was saying we might be able to sort out this problem. (CIDE) 只要是她愿意听我说,我们也许就能够解决这个问题。