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English grammar

Futures of duty, timetable and imminence: be to, be due to, be about to

C1 · Advanced Verbs and time Questions 10

The rule

Beyond will and going to, English has a family of be + to futures, each with its own meaning. be to states an official arrangement or an instruction (The minister is to visit Leeds; You are not to leave the room). be due to gives a scheduled time (The train is due to arrive at six). be about to and be on the point of + -ing mean very soon; be on the verge / brink of + -ing adds the sense that something important or dangerous is close. be set to and be poised to belong to news reports (Prices are set to rise). be bound to means the speaker is certain (It’s bound to rain). In a condition, if … be to states a goal and what it requires: If we are to finish on time, we need more staff. And was to have + past participle describes a plan that fell through.

Pattern

be to + verb (official plan / order) · be due to + verb (timetable) · be about to / on the point of + -ing (very soon) · be set / poised to (news) · be bound to (certain) · if … be to …, … (goal and requirement)

Examples

  1. The Prime Minister is to visit the flooded towns tomorrow.

  2. The new bridge is due to open in the spring.

  3. I was about to call you when your message arrived.

  4. If we are to meet the deadline, we need two more people.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: The train is due arriving at six.

    Right: The train is due to arrive at six.

    due to + infinitive for a timetable.

  • Wrong: We are on the verge to sign the deal.

    Right: We are on the verge of signing the deal.

    on the verge of is followed by -ing, not to.

  • Wrong: If we will finish on time, we need more staff.

    Right: If we are to finish on time, we need more staff.

    For a goal that depends on something, use if … be to, not if … will.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

  1. 1Choose the correct sentence.

    What does the sentence tell us?

    All staff are to leave the building by the east exit.

    1. It is a prediction of the future.
    2. It is a past habit.
    3. It is an instruction.
    4. It is a suggestion.
    Show answer

    Answer: C It is an instruction.

    be to in a notice gives an instruction.

  2. 2Fill in the gap.

    The flight is _____ to land at 16:40.

    1. verge
    2. due
    3. point
    4. brink
    Show answer

    Answer: B The flight is due to land at 16:40.

    A time in a timetable: be due to.

  3. 3Choose the correct sentence.

    1. She was about to resign when they offered her a pay rise.
    2. She was on the point to resign when they offered her a pay rise.
    3. She was about resigning when they offered her a pay rise.
    4. She was about to resigned when they offered her a pay rise.
    Show answer

    Answer: A She was about to resign when they offered her a pay rise.

    be about to + base form: it was going to happen very soon.

  4. 4Change the sentence.

    Rewrite it in the style of a news report.

    Fuel prices will probably rise again next month.

    1. Fuel prices set rising again next month.
    2. Fuel prices are to be rising next month.
    3. Fuel prices are due rising again next month.
    4. Fuel prices are set to rise again next month.
    Show answer

    Answer: D Fuel prices are set to rise again next month.

    be set to is the reporter’s way of saying likely soon.

  5. 5Choose the correct sentence.

    Which sentence means the same?

    If we are to win the contract, we must cut the price.

    1. We might win the contract whatever the price.
    2. We cut the price because we won the contract.
    3. We are going to win the contract and after that we will cut the price.
    4. We must cut the price in order to win the contract.
    Show answer

    Answer: D We must cut the price in order to win the contract.

    if … be to states a goal and what it requires.

  6. 6This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    We are on the brink to make a breakthrough.

    1. We are on the brink of making a breakthrough.
    2. We are on brink of making a breakthrough.
    3. We are at the brink to make a breakthrough.
    4. We are on the brink of make a breakthrough.
    Show answer

    Answer: A We are on the brink of making a breakthrough.

    on the brink of + -ing.

  7. 7Choose the correct sentence.

    1. You are not to tell anyone about this.
    2. You not are to tell anyone about this.
    3. You are not to telling anyone about this.
    4. You are not tell anyone about this.
    Show answer

    Answer: A You are not to tell anyone about this.

    be not to is a firm prohibition.

  8. 8Fill in the gap.

    You are reading a formal announcement.

    The conference _____ take place in Rotterdam.

    1. is on the point
    2. is to
    3. is bound
    4. is about
    Show answer

    Answer: B The conference is to take place in Rotterdam.

    An official arrangement: is to + base form.

  9. 9Put the words in the right order.

    The results are due to be published on Monday

    Show answer

    Answer: The results are due to be published on Monday.

    due to be + past participle: a scheduled passive.

  10. 10Choose the correct sentence.

    How certain is the speaker?

    Don’t worry, they’re bound to call you back.

    1. Sure it will never happen at all
    2. Not sure at all
    3. Very sure it will happen
    4. Hoping but doubtful
    Show answer

    Answer: C Very sure it will happen

    be bound to means the speaker is certain.

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