ただ～のみだ | Grammar

Structure

ただ + [verb (dictionary form)] + のみだ

Description

ただ～のみだ means "all that is left is to…", "there is nothing to do but…": every other option is used up, and one action remains. The verb goes in the dictionary form between ただ and のみだ. It is formal and literary, the language of speeches, statements and dramatic narration.

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Everything is ready. All that is left is to wait for the result.

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I've done what I had to. Now I can only pray.

。。

There's no turning back. There is nothing to do but fight.

The verb stays in the dictionary form even in a past story; the past goes on the end, のみだった. In a polite statement the end is のみです.

、。

All I can do is watch over them.

The sentence often reads as resolve rather than resignation: the speaker has stopped hesitating.

、。

We've come this far. Now we just keep going.

ただ～のみだ or しかない

and say the same in ordinary language: , "there's nothing for it but to wait". ただ～のみだ in casual conversation sounds like a line from a film.

、。

The bus isn't coming, so there's nothing for it but to walk.

× バスが来ないから、ただ歩くのみだ → 歩くしかない

Examples

。。

I've done everything I should. All I can do now is pray.

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I gave it my all. Now I can only wait for the results.

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Now that we've come this far, all we can do is press forward.

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The only thing we can do is convey the truth.

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All we can do is believe that he is safe.

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There's no use regretting the past. All we can do is look toward the future.

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The athletes have trained extensively. Now all that remains is to face the real match.

。。

The decision has been made. All that's left is to carry it out.

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Words cannot fully express it. I can only be grateful.

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There's no turning back now. All we can do is fight.

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To protect the lives of the people, all we can do is give our utmost effort.