Metkagram
EN RU

B2–C1 · GFH · GFH012

Subject + past action, only to + infinitive phrase

Explanation

A reusable frame from “Infinitive tense, voice and subject control”. Compare how English and German express infinitive tense, voice and subject control. Practise reusable constructions with Russian translations.

Structure

EN · EnglishSubject + past action, only to + infinitive phrase
DE · GermanPast action, nur um dann + zu-infinitive of unexpected result

Anchor phrase

RU · Translation

Я поспешил на вокзал и лишь там узнал, что поезд отменили.

EN · English

I hurried to the station, only to find that the train had been cancelled.

DE · German

Ich eilte zum Bahnhof, nur um dann festzustellen, dass der Zug ausgefallen war.

Try variations2 · more examples

  1. RU · Translation

    Она открыла коробку и обнаружила, что одной детали не хватает.

    EN · English

    She opened the box, only to discover that a part was missing.

    DE · German

    Sie öffnete die Schachtel, nur um dann zu entdecken, dass ein Teil fehlte.

  2. RU · Translation

    Мы проехали через весь город, но нам сказали, что магазин закрыт.

    EN · English

    We drove across town, only to be told that the shop was closed.

    DE · German

    Wir fuhren quer durch die Stadt, nur um dann zu hören, dass der Laden geschlossen war.

Pattern graph

Continue with nearby patterns

GFH013Subject + action + so as not to + bare infinitiveGFHGFH014Main action + in order for + noun/object pronoun + to-infinitiveGFHGFH001Subject + seem(s) to have + past participleGFHGFH016Main clause + noun/pronoun + to + infinitive phrase + required prepositionGFH