only to do 作結果狀語，多用來表示出人意料、結局令人沮喪的結果。動詞多是終結性的詞，如：find, learn, to be toldeg: He hurried to his office, only to be told that he was dismissed.他急匆匆的跑到辦公室，結果被告知他被炒了。eg: She ran to the station only to find that the train had left.她跑到車站結果發現火車已經離開了。eg: I arrived at the shop only to find I"d left all my money at home.我到了店裡結果發現把錢全落家裡了。

only doing的意思是“結果就……",表示一個意料之中的結果only to do的意思是“不料(卻)……,結果(卻)……",表示一個沒有料到的結果only + to do”意為“……，結果卻……”，即表示與句子謂語動作的目的相反的結果。例: They hurried there only to find the meeting canceled. 譯文：他們匆匆忙忙趕到那兒，結果卻發現會議被取消了。