に至って
When it came to, Only when, Only after, Go as far as
Structure
Noun + に至って(1)
(1)に至り
Explanation
Similar to other grammar patterns using the う-Verb 至る, which means 'to reach' or 'to get to the point of', に至って shows that (B) happened only after (A) reached a critical or extreme state. The case marking particle に attaches to a noun or verb to mark the situation that 至る emphasizes as extreme. It can be translated as 'it wasn't until (A) that (B)' or 'only after (A) did (B)'.
- 先生に叱られるに至って、ようやく自分の間違いに気づいた。It wasn't until I was scolded by the teacher that I finally realized my mistake.
- 大きな問題が起きるに至ってルールを作るようでは、また同じことが繰り返されるでしょう。If rules are made only after a major problem occurs, the same thing will likely just happen again.
- 退学処分に至って、彼は自分の行動を反省した。Only when he was faced with expulsion did he reflect on his actions.
- この段階に至って計画を変更するなんて、信じられない。To change the plan only after reaching this stage... I can't believe it.
The extreme situation implied by に至って is often the consequence of a problem being ignored for too long. For this reason, に至って frequently carries a nuance of criticizing inaction.
As is the case with other verb-based grammar forms, the formal conjunctive form 至り is sometimes used instead of the standard て-form, 至って.
Caution
に至って and に至っても carry significantly different nuances. The key distinction to remember is this:
(A) に至って (B) - It was only when the situation progressed to the extreme of (A) that (B) happened.
(A) に至っても (B) - Even after the situation progressed to the extreme of (A), (B) does not happen.
The grammar point に至っても is explained in its own lesson.
Examples
虫歯で歯を失うに至って、ようやく歯医者に行く決心をした。
Only when I lost a tooth to a cavity, did I finally decide to go to the dentist.
恋人と大喧嘩して別れるに至って、初めて彼女の大切さに気づいた。
It was only after breaking up with my girlfriend after a huge fight that I first realized how important she was.
会社が倒産の危機に瀕するに至って、社長は経営改革に乗り出した。
Only when the company was on the verge of bankruptcy, did the president finally initiate management reforms.
試験に落第するに至って、彼は真剣に勉強しなかったことを後悔した。
Only after failing the exam, did he regret not having studied seriously.
パソコンが壊れて全てのデータを失うに至って、バックアップの重要性を痛感した。
It wasn't until my computer broke and I lost all my data, that I truly felt the importance of backing things up.
健康診断で医者に警告されるに至って、ようやく食生活を見直す気になった。
Only when I was warned by a doctor at my health checkup, did I finally become willing to reconsider my eating habits.
警察に逮捕される段に至って、彼は自分の犯した罪の重さを悟った。
It seems that only at the point of being arrested by the police did he realize the gravity of the crime he had committed.
最後の子供が家を出て独立するに至って、夫婦は二人きりの生活に寂しさを感じた。
Only when their last child left home to live independently, did the couple feel the loneliness of life with just the two of them.
市民の抗議デモが全国に広がるに至って、政府はようやくその問題に対応し始めた。
Only when the citizens' protests spread nationwide, did the government finally begin to address the issue.
冷蔵庫が空っぽになるに至って、ようやく買い物に行かなければと重い腰を上げた。
Only when the refrigerator became completely empty, did I finally drag myself out to go shopping.
記事：「国が二つに分裂するに至って、人々は平和の尊さを改めて実感した。」
Article: 'Only when the country was split in two, did the people once again realize the value of peace.'
近所の川が氾濫するに至って、初めて避難準備の必要性を感じた。
Only when the nearby river flooded, did I feel the necessity of preparing for evacuation for the first time.