“be on the point of doing sth.”是一个强调“动作临界点”的英语短语,核心含义和用法如下:
强调动作处于“即将发生的最后一刻”,距离实际开始仅一步之遥,紧迫感极强(相当于“差一点就开始了”“已经准备好要做了”)。
1、 基础结构:
主语 + be动词(am/is/are/was/were) + on the point of + 动名词(doing sth.)
be动词随主语和时态变化;
后面必须接动名词(doing),不能接不定式(to do)。
2、 高频搭配:与when从句连用
最常用的场景是“正要做某事,这时突然发生另一件事”,结构为:
这里的“when”表示“就在这时(突然)”,用于描述“即将行动被打断”的情况,非常生动。
The train is on the point of departing.(火车即将发车。)
He was on the point of resigning before his boss offered a promotion.(在老板提出晋升前,他正要辞职。)
I was on the point of leaving the office when my phone rang.(我正要离开办公室,这时电话响了。)
She was on the point of giving up when she received good news.(她正要放弃,这时收到了好消息。)
The child was on the point of touching the hot stove when his mom stopped him.(孩子正要碰热炉子,这时妈妈拦住了他。)
be about to do sth.:也表示“即将做某事”,但紧迫感更弱,可指“近期内即将”(如“下周要去旅行”);而“be on the point of doing”强调“此刻马上”(如“已经拿起钥匙要出门”)。
例:I’m about to go on vacation next month.(我下个月要去度假。)→ 时间不紧迫,不用on the point of。
I’m on the point of going on vacation—my bag is already packed!(我正要去度假——行李都打包好了!)→ 马上出发,用on the point of更准确。
be just going to do sth.:侧重“打算正要做”,但不如on the point of强调“行动的临界点”。
“be on the point of doing sth.”的核心是“此刻马上要做”,尤其适合描述“即将行动被突然打断”的场景。记住搭配“when”的用法,能让你的表达更地道!