英语短语 "to such an extent that" 是一个程度-结果连接结构,核心含义是“到如此/这般程度,以至于……”,用于强调前面所述情况的程度之深,最终引发后面的结果。
该短语通过“such”加强程度,突出“程度高到足以导致某种后果”,是正式书面语中常用的强调句式。
基本结构为:
主句部分通常是描述程度的内容(可以是动词短语、形容词/副词短语或名词短语);
“to such an extent” 作为程度状语,修饰主句的动作或状态;
“that” 引导结果状语从句,说明程度带来的最终结果。
以下是不同语境的典型用法:
描述情绪/状态的程度:
She was worried to such an extent that she couldn’t sleep for days.
(她担心到如此程度,以至于连续几天睡不着觉。)
描述行为的影响程度:
They overused pesticides to such an extent that the soil became infertile.
(他们过度使用农药,以至于土壤变得贫瘠。)
描述抽象概念的程度:
His ignorance of the law was to such an extent that he didn’t realize he was committing a crime.
(他对法律的无知到了这般程度,甚至没意识到自己在犯罪。)
句首倒装(强调程度,较正式):
To such an extent had the city changed that I could hardly recognize it.
(这座城市变化之大,以至于我几乎认不出来了。)
注:此处因“to such an extent”提前,主句需部分倒装(助动词/情态动词提前)。
“to such an extent that” 与 so...that... / such...that... 均表示“如此……以至于……”,但用法有差异:
结构 | 用法特点 | 例句 |
---|---|---|
so...that... | 后接形容词/副词,修饰形容词/副词的程度 | He ran so fast that he won the race. |
such...that... | 后接名词短语(such + a/an + adj. + n.) | It was such a hot day that we stayed indoors. |
to such an extent that | 修饰整个主句的程度(更强调“程度的整体性”),更正式 | The project was delayed to such an extent that it missed the deadline. |
该短语偏正式,口语中更常用“so...that...”;
“to such an extent” 可单独使用(不加that从句),表示“到这种程度”,但较少见:
The damage was severe, but not to such an extent.
(损坏很严重,但没到那种程度。)
总结:"to such an extent that" 是强调“程度导致结果”的正式表达,核心是通过“such”强化程度,后接结果从句。掌握其结构和与相似短语的区别,就能准确用于写作或正式语境中。