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be + to + verb ("are to get")

Monday October 15th 2012

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Jane Mairs, Director of

be + to + verb ("are to get") English language
Learning Publishing

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Question

Could you please explain how to use “be + to + verb," as in the sentence
below? –Elihu, Mexico

We are to get a wage raise in May.

Answer

The construction “be + to + verb” is a formal construction that is used

either a) to give an instruction or command, or b) to tell what is going to
happen in the future.

In the following three sentences, the “be + to + verb” construction signals

that these are commands. This construction makes the sentences sound
serious and formal.

You are to do your homework without watching any TV.

The students are not to travel by subway without a friend.
[Patient speaking to nurse] The doctor says that I’m to make an
appointment to come back next month.

In the following sentences, the “be + to + verb” construction tells us that

these sentences are about planned or scheduled events.

The plane is to take off at 9pm.

The new kitchen cabinets are to arrive before December 20th.
Their house is to be sold right away.

Again, these sentences sound formal. If we change the verb construction to

“be + going + to + verb,” they retain the same meaning but sound less
formal.

The plane is going to take off at 9am.

The new kitchen cabinets are going to arrive before December 20th.
Their house is to going to be sold right away.

I hope this helps.

More help with English verbs:

Treat someone to....
What is a phrasal verb?
The verb “get”

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be + to + verb ("are to get") | Ask The Editor | Learner's Dictionary http://www.learnersdictionary.com/qa/be-to-verb-are-to-get

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Hermes Moreira • 4 months ago

Thanks to you I now have no doubts!
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Habib Karim • 2 years ago • edited

what about this construction : be+to be+past participle?
example: several alleged drug lords are to be put on trial.
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Keimer • 2 years ago

Thanks, now i understand the use of this.
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