Question

What is the correct way to rewrite this sentence? Tom opened the box and looked into it only to find it empty. Tom opened the box and looked into it; only to find it empty. Tom opened the box, and looked into it only to find it empty. Tom opened the box and looked into it, only to find it empty. Tom opened the box, and looked into it, only to find it empty.

Answer 1

This is a bit subjective, because there are a few ways this sentence could be re-written, however "Tom opened the box and looked into it, only to find it empty" is the most standard.

Answer 2

From my Understanding It seems like "Tom opened the box and looked into it: only to find it empty."
But sometimes it can be a comma before the"and", and "only"