表示“正要做……的时候;即将(做某事);处于做某事的临界点”,强调动作或状态即将发生的瞬间(相当于“just about to do”)。
1、 结构要求:
短语中“of”是介词,因此后面必须接动名词(doing),不能接不定式(to do)。
基本结构:主语 + be动词 + on the point of + doing sth.
2、 常见搭配:
常与when引导的时间状语从句连用,表达“正要做A事时,突然发生了B事”(突出动作的“意外打断”或“巧合”)。
通过具体例子理解语境:
人作主语:I was on the point of leaving the office when my boss called me.(我正要离开办公室时,老板叫住了我。)
物作主语:The water was on the point of boiling when I turned off the stove.(水正要烧开时,我关掉了炉子。)
被动形式:The old building was on the point of being demolished when the city saved it.(那栋老建筑正要被拆除时,市政府救下了它。)
情感场景:She was on the point of crying when her friend handed her a tissue.(她正要哭的时候,朋友递来了纸巾。)
on the point of doing:强调“瞬间的临界点”(即将发生,几乎已经开始);
be about to do:更口语化,侧重“计划中即将做”(无明确时间点);
on the verge of doing:侧重“状态或情绪的边缘”(如“濒临崩溃”on the verge of breaking down)。
"on the point of doing"是描述“即将行动的瞬间”的高频短语,核心是“of + 动名词”的结构,常与when从句搭配,突出“即将做A时发生B”的场景。掌握它能让表达更精准、生动~