To be / to be about to

Be to+infinitive is used: 1) – to talk about formal or official arrangements, formal instructions, and to give orders. It is particularly common in news reports to talk about future events. Example: You are not to leave the school without my permission. We only use to be+infinitive to talk about things that can be controlled by people: Example: We don’t know where the meteorite is going to land. (not... the meteorite is to land.) I suppose we will all die eventually. (not... we are all to die.) 2) – in if -clauses to say that something must take place first (in the main clause) before something else can take place (in the if -clause): Example: If humans are to survive as a species, we must address environmental issues now. Compare: a) Jones needs to improve his technique if he is to win gold at the next Olympics. b) Jones has said that he will retire from athletics if he wins gold at the next Olympics. 3) be about to + infinitive/be on the point of + -ing form are used to refer to the near future. Example: Look! The bus is about to leave. The company is on the point of closing. 4) be due to + infinitive is used to talk about future actions which will happen according to the timetable. Example: Their flight is due to arrive at 6:15. 5) verbs such as decide, plan, intend, arrange + to -infinitive are used to talk for future plans or intentions. Example: We intend to buy a bigger flat. 6) be sure to/be certain to/be bound to + infinitive are used to express certainty about the future. Example: This plan is sure to/is bound to succeed.  

Ex.

Write sentences about President Morton’s schedule.

Example: The President is to arrive at Star City at 08.00

	Schedule for Presidential Visit to Northland Monday 27.6
08.00	Arrive Star City Airport. Inspect guard of honour.
09.00	Working breakfast with President Jensen.
11.00-13.00	Tour of Star City; meet mayor and civic leaders.
13.00-14.00	Lunch with Foreign Minister Svendsen and guests.
14.00-16.00	Visit inner city schools; open new eye hospital.
16.00-20.00	Meet business leaders; rest.
20.00-23.00	Attend State Dinner as guest of President and Mrs Jensen.

Ex. 1

Complete these sentences on the news. Some are spoken by the newsreader in the studio and some by reporters on the spot. Use to be to or to be about to with the verbs in brackets.

1. The new museum _______ (open) in the autumn. 2. The Prime Minister is at the microphone now. He ________ (start) speaking. 3. The leading runner is nearly there now. She _______ (win) the race. 4. Taxes ______ (go) up from next April. 5. The US President _______ (visit) Ireland in the new year. 6. The riot isn’t over yet, but the police are here. They _____ (move) in. 7. The talks on world trade ________ (take) place later this year.

Ex.

Put together sentences that a parent might say to a child, using expressions from the two boxes and You’re (not) to....

Example: You’re to clean your room.

clean up do give chocolate go to bed learn how to use leave dirty leave empty make make your own open door write

at nine o’clock bed Christmas thank-you letters piano practice to cat crisp-packets lying around hour-long phone calls room socks on floor to strangers washing machine

Ex. 2

Use to be + Infinitive if possible, and will if not:

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