JLPT N1 grammar

〜にいたってmeaning and usage

Meaning

Upon reaching a point or stage A, B happens; only at that point does B happen

How to form it

  • noun/verb (dictionary form)に至って（はじめて/ようやく）
  • nounに至っては
  • noun/verb (dictionary form)に至っても

How it is used

Formal. 「〜に至って」: only when things reached stage A did B finally happen, often with 「ようやく」. 「〜に至っては」 picks out the most extreme case. 「〜に至っても」: 'even at stage A, still not'.

Examples

  1. 彼はここにいたって自分は無実だと言い出した。

    Only at this point did he start claiming that he was innocent.

  2. 締め切りの前日に至って、彼はようやく書き始めた。

    Only on the day before the deadline did he finally start writing.

  3. 弟は勉強が苦手で、数学に至っては教科書を開いてもいない。

    My brother isn't good at studying, and when it comes to maths, he hasn't even opened the textbook.

About the example 1. As for A; when it comes to A (に至っては) 2. Upon reaching stage or situation A (に至って) 3. Even upon reaching stage or situation A (に至っても)