Toekomst van plicht, planning en nabijheid: be to, be due to, be about to

Voorbeelden

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

   De premier bezoekt morgen de overstroomde plaatsen.

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

   De nieuwe brug gaat volgens planning in het voorjaar open.

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

   Ik wilde je net bellen toen je bericht binnenkwam.

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

   Als we de deadline willen halen, hebben we nog twee mensen nodig.

Veelgemaakte fouten

• ✗Fout: The train is due arriving at six.

  ✓Goed: The train is due to arrive at six.

  due to + infinitief voor een dienstregeling.

• ✗Fout: We are on the verge to sign the deal.

  ✓Goed: We are on the verge of signing the deal.

  Na on the verge of volgt -ing, niet to.

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

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

  Voor een doel dat ergens van afhangt: if … be to, niet if … will.

Oefenvragen

Probeer elke vraag eerst zelf en open dan „Toon antwoord” voor de oplossing en de reden.

1. 1Kies de juiste zin.

   Wat vertelt de zin ons?

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

   1. AIt is a prediction of the future.
   2. BIt is a past habit.
   3. CIt is an instruction.
   4. DIt is a suggestion.
   Toon antwoord

   Antwoord: C It is an instruction.

   be to in een mededeling is een opdracht.

2. 2Vul het gat in.

   The flight is _____ to land at 16:40.

   1. Averge
   2. Bdue
   3. Cpoint
   4. Dbrink
   Toon antwoord

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

   Een tijd uit een dienstregeling: be due to.

3. 3Kies de juiste zin.

   1. AShe was about to resign when they offered her a pay rise.
   2. BShe was on the point to resign when they offered her a pay rise.
   3. CShe was about resigning when they offered her a pay rise.
   4. DShe was about to resigned when they offered her a pay rise.
   Toon antwoord

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

   be about to + kale vorm: het stond op het punt te gebeuren.

4. 4Verander de zin.

   Herschrijf het in de stijl van een nieuwsbericht.

   Fuel prices will probably rise again next month.

   1. AFuel prices set rising again next month.
   2. BFuel prices are to be rising next month.
   3. CFuel prices are due rising again next month.
   4. DFuel prices are set to rise again next month.
   Toon antwoord

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

   be set to is de verslaggeverstaal voor waarschijnlijk binnenkort.

5. 5Kies de juiste zin.

   Welke zin betekent hetzelfde?

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

   1. AWe might win the contract whatever the price.
   2. BWe cut the price because we won the contract.
   3. CWe are going to win the contract and after that we will cut the price.
   4. DWe must cut the price in order to win the contract.
   Toon antwoord

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

   if … be to noemt een doel en wat ervoor nodig is.

6. 6Deze zin klopt niet. Kies de verbetering.

   We are on the brink to make a breakthrough.

   1. AWe are on the brink of making a breakthrough.
   2. BWe are on brink of making a breakthrough.
   3. CWe are at the brink to make a breakthrough.
   4. DWe are on the brink of make a breakthrough.
   Toon antwoord

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

   on the brink of + -ing.

7. 7Kies de juiste zin.

   1. AYou are not to tell anyone about this.
   2. BYou not are to tell anyone about this.
   3. CYou are not to telling anyone about this.
   4. DYou are not tell anyone about this.
   Toon antwoord

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

   be not to is een stellig verbod.

8. 8Vul het gat in.

   U leest een formele aankondiging.

   The conference _____ take place in Rotterdam.

   1. Ais on the point
   2. Bis to
   3. Cis bound
   4. Dis about
   Toon antwoord

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

   Een officiële afspraak: is to + kale vorm.

9. 9Zet de woorden in de juiste volgorde.

   The results are due to be published on Monday

   Toon antwoord

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

   due to be + voltooid deelwoord: een geplande lijdende vorm.

10. 10Kies de juiste zin.

    Hoe zeker is de spreker?

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

    1. ASure it will never happen at all
    2. BNot sure at all
    3. CVery sure it will happen
    4. DHoping but doubtful
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: C Very sure it will happen

    be bound to betekent dat de spreker zeker is.