only to be

USAGE SUMMARY

'only to be' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a subsequent clause, often one that explains the reason or purpose of a prior action. For example, "He had sold his house, only to be able to afford a vacation to Hawaii."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That was only to be expected.

The Economist

It was only to be expected.

The Guardian

But that was only to be expected.

The Economist

They exist only to be looked at.

Independent

only to be turned away.

The New York Times - Sports

It's ready only to be read.

The New York Times - Magazine

This was only to be expected.

The Guardian - Opinion

The grief was only to be expected.

The New Yorker

This is perhaps only to be expected.

The Guardian - Sport

He wanted only to be a Yankee.

The New York Times - Sports

It asks only to be admired.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only to be" to create a sense of irony or unexpected consequence in your writing. It effectively highlights the contrast between an initial action and its eventual outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "only to be" when the subsequent clause isn't a direct and unexpected result of the first. Ensure the connection is clear and creates the intended sense of surprise or irony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only to be" functions as an infinitive phrase introducing an unexpected or contrasting result following a previous action or event. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

12%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "only to be" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that introduces an unexpected or contrasting outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and versatility. It's commonly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts, adding a layer of irony or surprise. When using this phrase, ensure the subsequent clause directly and unexpectedly results from the first. Alternatives like "but instead" or "merely to be" can offer similar meanings with slightly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only then to be

Adds a temporal emphasis, indicating that the subsequent action or state occurred after a specific condition was met.

merely to be

Emphasizes the limitation or insignificance of the subsequent state or action.

simply to be

Highlights the ease or straightforwardness of the resulting action or state, often with an element of surprise.

just to be

Suggests a sense of purpose or intention in the initial action, with the subsequent state being the sole reason.

but instead to be

Introduces a contrast or unexpected alternative to what might have been expected.

so as to be

Indicates a clear intention or purpose behind the initial action, focusing on the resulting state.

with the aim to be

Emphasizes the goal-oriented nature of the initial action, highlighting the desired outcome.

in order to be

Highlights the purpose or objective of a preceding action, often suggesting a deliberate strategy.

eventually to be

Implies a delay or progression before the subsequent action or state occurs.

subsequently to be

Formally indicates that the second action follows the first in time or sequence.

FAQs

How can I use "only to be" in a sentence?

Use "only to be" to show an unexpected or contrasting result after an initial action. For example, "He trained hard for the marathon, "only to be" injured the day before."

What does "only to be" mean?

The phrase "only to be" introduces an outcome that contrasts with or unexpectedly follows a previous action, often creating a sense of irony or disappointment.

What are some alternatives to "only to be"?

Consider using alternatives like "but instead", "merely to be", or "simply to be", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "only to be" and "just to be"?

"Only to be" often implies a stronger sense of irony or unexpectedness than "just to be", which can sometimes simply indicate purpose or intention.