only if的逻辑是only修饰if引导的从句,意为“只有如果…”。only是可以省略的,有了only语气更强一些。
此外,only不仅可以修饰if从句,也能修饰其他从句,如:
- I did it only because I felt it to be my duty. 我做此事仅仅是因为我觉得它是我的责任。
- He can be very helpful, but only when it suits him. 有时候他非常肯帮忙,不过那得在他觉得合适的时候。
If only是固定搭配,意为“如果……就好了”,通常用虚拟语气,如:
- If only he were here now. 如果他现在在这儿就好了。
练一下:
Investors are completely rational. They take risks ____ they get paid for doing so.
A. if only B. only if
答案:B;句意:消费者是很理性的,只有能得到回报,他们才会冒险。