only to find

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CalifJim

#545257 Wed, 23 Jul 08 03:41 AM

New2grammar
I tried so hard looking for her whereabouts only to find it on a site that I haven't visited in years.

Does it mean that I finally found it after searching for a long time?

No. It just means "and then ( surprise! ) I found it on a site ... ( hadn't visited ... )"

When Magellan went around the world, he kept going in the same direction, only to find himself back in the same place he started.

CalifJim

Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004

California

Veteran Member (16,956)

"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

Grammar

New2grammar

#545259 Wed, 23 Jul 08 03:44 AM

Thanks, CJ. I'm starting to feel the meaning. "Surprise" helps.

New2grammar

Joined on Tue, Nov 21 2006

Veteran Member (7,670)

Who wants to go sailing around the world with me?

CalifJim

#545263 Wed, 23 Jul 08 03:54 AM

Would "Goodness me!" or "Oh Golly!" help as well? Smile

I spent an hour trying to figure out why my washing machine was not working, only to find that I hadn't plugged it in!

= I spent an hour trying to figure out why my washing machine was not working, finally discovering (Golly gosh! Oh, my goodness!) that I hadn't plugged it in!