核心结论
这三个框架都用来引导从句,但语义方向不同:on condition that 表「以……为条件」,强调前提必须满足;in the hope that 表「希望/目的是……」,表达期望的结果;in the event that 表「如果/万一……」,引出假设情境。
on condition that 与 provided/given that 同属条件框架,但更强调「约定性条件」(negotiated condition),常见于协议、许可场景,译为「条件是……」「前提是……」。in the hope that 属目的框架,与 in order that 相近但更侧重主观愿望。in the event that 是假设框架,与 in case(that)的区别在于:in the event that 描述具体假设情境,in case 更侧重预防准备。
三者都是正式书面语,学术写作和法律文本中高频;口语中 on condition that 常简化为 on condition,in the event that 多用 if 替代。
易错点与直译陷阱
on condition that 不要误用虚拟语气:这是真实条件框架,从句用陈述语气。错误:❌ I agree on condition that he were present.(应为 is present)。只有当条件本身是非真实假设时才用虚拟,如 on condition that it were possible(假如可能的话,但此时更常用 provided)。
in the hope that 不等于 for fear that:二者都引导目的从句但情感相反。in the hope that 期望某事发生(正面),for fear that 担心某事发生(负面)。She checked the report twice in the hope that no errors remained.(希望没错误)vs. for fear that errors might remain.(怕有错误)。
in the event that 不是「在事件中」:字面有 event(事件)但整体是「如果/万一」,不要拆解理解。In the event that supplies run out 不是「在供应耗尽的事件里」,而是「万一供应耗尽」。
on condition that 后不接 of 结构:正确形式是 on condition that + 从句,或 on condition of + 名词短语(on condition of approval),不要写成 ❌ on condition that of his agreement。
近似结构辨析
on condition that vs. provided/given that:三者都表条件,可互换,但语域和侧重略异。on condition that 更正式,常见于法律和协议(强调约定);provided/given that 更灵活,given that 还可表「鉴于(已知事实)」。You may leave early provided that your work is done.(一般条件)vs. on condition that you sign the waiver.(协议条件)。
in the hope that vs. in order that:都表目的,但 in the hope that 侧重主观期望(可能落空),in order that 侧重客观安排(为达成某目的而设计)。She saved money in the hope that she could study abroad.(希望能留学,不确定)vs. in order that she could study abroad.(为了留学,目的明确)。
in the event that vs. if:in the event that 是正式书面语,强调对特定情境的预案;if 通用。法律文本、应急预案多用 in the event that(In the event that the contract is breached...),日常对话用 if(If it rains, we'll cancel)。
in the event that vs. in case:in the event that 描述具体假设并给出应对(If X happens, then Y),in case 侧重预防准备(提前做 Y 以防 X)。Take an umbrella in case it rains.(预防性带伞)vs. In the event that it rains, the ceremony will move indoors.(假设下雨,典礼改室内)。
理解与翻译方法
识别框架类型:看到 on condition that 往前找「许可/同意」类动词(agree, allow, lend),确认这是施加条件;看到 in the hope that 往前找「行动」,确认从句是该行动的目的;看到 in the event that 往前找应对措施,确认从句是假设情境。
判断从句语气和时态:on condition that 后一般用陈述语气(真实条件),时态根据主句时态协调;in the hope that 从句可用 may/might/would 表预期,也可用陈述语气;in the event that 根据假设是否真实选择语气(真实假设用陈述,非真实用虚拟,但考试多考真实假设)。
翻译时显化逻辑:on condition that 译为「条件是……」「前提是……」,放译文前半句更自然;in the hope that 译为「希望……」「以期……」,可前置也可后置;in the event that 译为「如果/万一……」,通常前置并加「那么」呼应主句。
区分 that 从句的性质:三者的 that 都是连词(非关系代词),引导的是状语从句(条件/目的/假设),不是定语从句。不要误认为 that 指代 condition/hope/event —— 这些名词只是框架的组成部分,从句修饰的是整个主句动作。
考法提示
完形填空常考框架辨析:给出 ___ condition that / ___ the hope that,考介词搭配(on/in);或给出 on condition ___ / in the event ___,考连词 that 不可省略。
阅读理解考逻辑关系判断:问「作者提出某政策的目的是什么」,定位到 in the hope that 从句;或问「某方案的前提条件」,定位到 on condition that 从句。选项干扰项可能把条件和结果倒置。
翻译题考语序和逻辑词显化:英译汉时,in the event that 从句常需前置并加「如果/万一……,那么……」;on condition that 需译出「条件是」而非直译为「在……条件上」。汉译英时,「前提是……」提示 on condition that,「以期……」提示 in the hope that。
写作中可用于提升正式度:替换口语化的 if(→ in the event that)、so that(→ in the hope that)、only if(→ on condition that),但需确保语境够正式(学术论证、政策讨论),日常例子用这些框架会显生硬。
教学例句
The university will grant the scholarship on condition that the applicant maintains a GPA above 3.5.
大学将授予奖学金,条件是申请人保持 GPA 在 3.5 以上。
演示 on condition that 在学术规定中的用法,从句用一般现在时表持续要求。
Policymakers introduced tax incentives in the hope that they would stimulate investment in renewable energy.
政策制定者推出税收优惠,希望能刺激对可再生能源的投资。
演示 in the hope that 表政策目的,从句用 would 表过去时间点的预期。
In the event that the experiment yields inconclusive results, the research team will adjust the methodology and repeat the trials.
万一实验结果不确定,研究团队将调整方法并重复试验。
演示 in the event that 在学术情境中引出应急方案,从句用一般现在时,主句用 will 表将来应对。
The company agreed to the merger on condition that its brand identity be preserved.
公司同意合并,条件是其品牌标识得到保留。
演示正式语境中 on condition that 后可用虚拟语气(should be 省略 should),但多见于美式英语法律文本;英式或一般写作更常用 is preserved。
