ただ〜のみ

Meaning

"ただ〜だけ" means "only [something]" or "nothing else but [something]."

① It is a formal expression, often used in written language.

② "ただ" can be omitted.

Examples

1. 今はただみんなの無事を祈るのみです。
   All I can do now is pray for everyone's safety.

2. 今ただは無くなった方のご冥福を祈るのみです。
   All we can do now is pray for the repose of the soul of the departed.

3. 昨日の失敗は一旦忘れて、ただ次の仕事に専念するのみだ。
   I'm going to forget about yesterday's failure and just concentrate on the next job.

4. 明日は楽しみにしていた遠足なので、雨が降らないことを祈るのみです。
   Since we have the much-awaited field trip tomorrow, all we can do is pray for good weather.

5. やれることはやったので、後はただ結果を待つのみだ。
   I've done what I can, so now all I can do is wait for the results.

6. 過去のことは振り返らず、ただ前進あるのみだ。
   I don't look back at the past, all I can do is move forward.

Summary

• ただ〜のみ means "only"
• This is an N1-level grammar pattern