only to do something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only to do something" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is often used to express a result that is unexpected or contrary to what was originally intended. Example: I spent all morning cleaning the house, only to have my kids make a mess again in the afternoon.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

Living in his native Bay Area, he had no plans to coach in the major leagues, only to do something.

The New York Times

Unlike the Liberal Democrats, we don't support free market capitalism or use dirty tricks during election campaigns and we don't talk green in national politics only to do something else entirely at the local level.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Razorbacks got the ball back, only to do something else unusual by N.F.L. standards: snapping the ball over their punter, Torben Atkinson Jørgensen, who fumbled it while trying to run out of the end zone.

The New Yorker

"Our basic thrust is not only to do something in New York State, but also to motivate the Congress to act, which they've spent years and years not doing," Mr. Padavan said.

The New York Times

"All we're ever looking for is not only to do something good for the community, but to find another place for eyeballs to be looking at things," said Jody Berg, the principal of Media Works, a communications company based in Baltimore, who added that the city could find appropriate sponsors in fields like health care, education, sports or insurance.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

If so, I can be on the way not only to doing something I will never do, because I will be interrupted at the earliest moment, but something it is now impossible for me to do.

SEP

When we acknowledge and admit the truth, we're forced to not only face it, but to do something about it.

Huffington Post

But it's the only way to do something when you've only got 20 days to shoot.

The New York Times

"But you can only afford to do something like this about once a year.

The Guardian

Of course, these are not the only ways to do something winning with courgettes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only to do something" to create a sense of irony or contrast in your writing, highlighting the difference between an expected outcome and what actually occurred.

Common error

Avoid using "only to do something" as a basic connector. It is more effective when emphasizing an unexpected result. For instance, instead of "He went to the store, only to buy milk", consider "He painstakingly saved money, only to lose it all in a bad investment".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only to do something" functions as an adverbial phrase indicating a contrast or unexpected outcome. Ludwig provides examples showing how it connects an action with a surprising or disappointing result. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "only to do something" serves as an adverbial phrase that introduces an unexpected or contrasting outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. Predominantly found in news and media, this construction lends a touch of irony and emphasis. Remember to use this phrase when you want to spotlight the difference between what was anticipated and what truly happened. If you want to express a slightly different meaning, consider alternatives like "merely to do something" or "simply to do something", but make sure the context is appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Merely to do something

Emphasizes simplicity or insignificance of the action.

Simply to do something

Highlights the lack of complexity or ulterior motive behind the action.

Just to do something

Indicates doing something for no particular reason.

Solely to do something

Stresses that the action is done for one reason and no other.

With the intention of doing something

Focuses on the planned objective before the action.

In order to do something

Highlights the intended purpose or aim of the action.

For the purpose of doing something

Similar to "in order to", but emphasizes the deliberate aim.

Intending to do something

Focuses on the state of mind or intent of the actor.

Hoping to do something

Indicates a desire or expectation linked to the action.

Aimed at doing something

Suggests the action is targeted towards a specific goal.

FAQs

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

Use "only to do something" to show an unexpected or contrasting outcome. For instance, "She studied hard for the exam, "only to fail"" indicates that despite her efforts, the result was not what she expected.

What phrases are similar to "only to do something"?

Alternatives include phrases like "merely to do something", "simply to do something", or "just to do something", each conveying a slightly different nuance of purpose or consequence.

Is it grammatically correct to use "only to do something"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. Ludwig AI confirms this, noting its use to express results that are unexpected or contrary to the initial intent.

What's the difference between "only to do something" and "in order to do something"?

"Only to do something" highlights an unexpected or contrasting result. "In order to do something", on the other hand, emphasizes the intended purpose or aim. For example, "He trained rigorously, "only to lose the race"" versus "He trained rigorously "in order to win the race"".