if only to [do something]
D darukSenior MemberKoreanSep 13, 2021#1Hello, forum gurus!1. In the below, if only to is used.A. I think you should do it right now, if only to have something to do.B. She calls me often, if only to scold me for not calling her........... Where does the structure if only to come from?For example, is it the shortened form of even if it is/was/were only to? And what is the exact meaning?2. In the below, can we understand that they knew before saving the animal, that it would die again after being saved?They tried everything to save the dying animal, even performing operation, if only to watch it die. owlman5Senior MemberColoradoEnglish-USSep 13, 2021#2daruk said:Where does the structure if only to come from?For example, is it the shortened form of even if it is/was/were only to?Click to expand...Hello. Your guess makes sense to me. I view it as a shorter way to say something like even if it is only to...daruk said:They tried everything to save the dying animal, even performing operation...