Mark
British expression From Downton Abbey: 1. If only to spare my fingers. Is it a common use in daily life? It seems to make no sense for foreign English learner. 2. Many details call into question the case for premeditation. I wonder if this is a completed sentence. 3.Not that I can think of? Or other conjunction follows not, like not when.... How to translate it?
Dec 12, 2016 11:50 AM
Answers · 4
1
1. It's not a common sentence but we have other expressions such as 'Work my fingers to the bone,' which is the opposite of 'If only to spare my fingers' 2. Yes it is a complete sentence. 3. I can't help you there as I don't know Mandarin. However if there is a way to negate a sentence in Mandarin, do that.
December 12, 2016
There's nothing 'British' about 'if only' It's American English too. It's just that you happened to hear it on a British show. It is a little unusual these days, a bit dated.
December 12, 2016
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