191. only + to 不定詞 (2)
- Many people invested all their savings, only to see everything lost. 「あるかぎりの貯蓄を投資にまわし、すべてを失う人が多い」
結果をあらわす不定詞に only がつく形は、意外・失望の念がこめられることが多い。
例文1
His handsome face, his dark eyes, and rich curling hair had won the heart of the pretty, graceful, gentle lady's-maid, and she had married him — only to rue the day and hour in which she had first seen him.
Charlotte M. Braeme, Wife in Name Only
彼のハンサムな顔、黒い瞳、豊かなカールした髪の毛、それらが愛らしい、優雅な、おとなしい小間使いの心をつかんだ。彼女は彼と結婚し……はじめて彼を見た瞬間のことを悔やむのだった。
例文2
There was, however, no sign of him now, and it was evident that he had ascended the next flight of steps. We climbed them, only to find our way barred by a heavy door.
Arthur Conan Doyle, Uncle Bernac
しかし彼の姿はどこにもない。さらに階段を上っていったことは明らかだった。われわれは階段を上ったが、重い扉に行く手をふさがれた。
例文3
"It is not much to be wondered at," said John Niel politely, and lifting his hand to take off his hat only to find that it had gone in the fray.
Henry Rider Haggard, Jess
「無理もありませんよ」とジョン・ニールは丁寧に言った。彼は帽子を取ろうと頭に手をやったが、帽子は騒ぎのあいだにどこかへ飛んで行ってしまっていた。
