only to do

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only to do" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that the only purpose of something is to do a certain thing or that something is being done exclusively for a certain purpose. For example: She practiced the piano every day, only to do well in the competition.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Only, to do it for good.

The New York Times

President Obama needs only to do his job.

The New York Times

I'm supposed only to do it to my girlfriends".

The New Yorker

This has only to do with criminal activity, period".

The New York Times

Medicare now pays doctors only to do specific medical procedures.

The New York Times

And Andy's Hitchcockesque scream after losing a set served only to do three things.

Independent

Google, you still have time not only to "do no evil" but to actually do good.

The Washington Post

At first, she agreed only to do the frocks, not wanting to forsake The Spectator.

The Guardian

Mr. Obama doesn't have to tell anyone what to do, only to do something good.

The New York Times

I actually made a decision at Christmas only to do stuff that I really care about.

The Guardian - Film

John Andretti (1994) and Tony Stewart (1999) are the only to do so.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "only to do", ensure that the intended exclusivity or purpose is clear from the context. Avoid ambiguity by placing it strategically within the sentence.

Common error

Avoid separating "only" too far from the verb it modifies. Incorrect: "He went to the store, after a long day of work, only to do some grocery shopping." Correct: "He went to the store only to do some grocery shopping after a long day of work."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only to do" serves as an infinitive of purpose, indicating the exclusive aim or result of a preceding action or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "only to do" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed construction used to express the specific purpose or intended outcome of an action. Its versatility allows it to fit into various contexts, from news reporting to academic writing. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and widespread use. While suitable for both formal and informal settings, careful attention to sentence structure is crucial for maintaining clarity and avoiding ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "solely to do" or "simply to do" to subtly shift the emphasis, as needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

solely to do

Replaces "only" with "solely", emphasizing exclusiveness.

exclusively to do

Replaces "only" with "exclusively", strongly emphasizing the restricted nature of the action.

merely to do

Substitutes "only" with "merely", highlighting the simplicity or insignificance of the action.

purely to do

Substitutes "only" with "purely", focusing on the unmixed or unadulterated reason for the action.

simply to do

Uses "simply" instead of "only", suggesting ease or straightforwardness.

specifically to do

Uses "specifically" instead of "only", making the purpose more precise.

just to do

Employs "just" in place of "only", conveying a sense of immediacy or limited scope.

uniquely to do

Replaces "only" with "uniquely", stressing the unparalleled reason for the action.

particularly to do

Substitutes "only" with "particularly", highlighting the specific focus of the action.

especially to do

Uses "especially" instead of "only", emphasizing the exceptional nature of the action.

FAQs

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

Use "only to do" to express the sole purpose or outcome of an action. For example, "She studied diligently, "only to do" well on the exam."

What's a good alternative to "only to do"?

Alternatives include phrases like "solely to do", "merely to do", or "simply to do", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "only to do"?

While generally correct, using "only to do" can be awkward if the intended meaning isn't clear. Ensure the sentence structure highlights the exclusivity or purpose effectively.

What is the difference between "only to do" and "just to do"?

"Only to do" emphasizes the exclusivity of the action's purpose, while "just to do" suggests the simplicity or insignificance of the action.