Structure
(ただ) + Verb[る]+ のみ + (だ(1))
(ただ) + [する]Verb + ある(2) + のみ + (だ(1))
(1) である
(2) する
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Formal
About ただ〜のみ
ただ~のみ is an expression that is commonly interpreted as ‘(A) is all that is required’, or ‘(A) is all that remains’. It is a combination of the neologism ただ ‘merely’, and the adverbial particle のみ ‘just’ or ‘only’. のみ itself has the same meanings and uses as both だけ and ばかり, but is slightly more formal.
Frequently, (A) will be a verb that indicates movement, continuation, or hope. This highlights that one has already done everything that is possible, and all that is left to do is hope for a good result, or that one is already doing all that is necessary, and all that remains is to continue.
When する-Verbs are used with this expression, occasionally it will be replaced by ある. This puts more focus on the existence of the action, rather than the action itself. The replacement of する with ある is primarily literary.
Examples
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A:「どうやれば作家になる夢を実現することができるのでしょう?」
B:「やっぱりなにごとも練習あるのみだな。」
A: 'How can I achieve my dream of becoming a writer?'
B: 'In the end, It all rests on practice.'
「できるだけのことをした。あとは降伏するのみだ。」
'We have done all we can. All that remains is to surrender.'
人生には後悔する暇なんてありません。ただ前進あるのみです。
There is no time for something like regrets in life. We have only to move forward.
テストを受けた後、ただ結果を待つのみだ。
'After taking the test, it just rests on the wait for results.'
「このような状況ではただ前に進んで迎えに行くのみであります。」
'In a situation like this, there is no choice but to keep moving forward.'
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ただ~のみだ (tada~nomi da)
JLPT先生
ただ~のみだ (tada~nomi da)
Japanesetest4you
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Try N1
Page 161
A Handbook of Japanese Grammar Patterns for Teachers and Learners
Page 511
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