Be to, be about to, be due to
Talk about the future precisely: be to, be about to, be on the point of, be due to, be bound to, be set to, be on the verge of.
In this lesson you will
- Use be to for formal plans and instructions
- Use be about to / on the point of / on the verge of for the near future
- Use be due to, be set to, be bound to, be likely to
Learn
be to (formal arrangements, orders): The Prime Minister is to visit* Japan next month. You are not to leave this room.* Also in conditions: If we are to succeed, we need…
Very near future: be about to (+ inf), be on the point of (+ -ing), be on the verge of (+ -ing/noun): The company is on the verge of* collapse.*
Scheduled / predicted: be due to (timetabled: The train is due to arrive at 6), be set to (journalism: Prices are set to rise), be bound to (certain: She’s bound to win), be (un)likely to.
Future in the past: was to (and did): He was to become* president* ; was to have (but didn’t): We were to have* married in June, but…*
Examples
- The new law is to come into force in January.
- I was just about to call you!
- Scientists are on the verge of a breakthrough.
- The concert was due to start at eight, but it was delayed.
Vocabulary
on the verge of
very close to
be set to
be expected to (news)
be bound to
be certain to
come into force
start to apply (a law)
breakthrough
an important discovery
Practice
The President ___ address the nation tonight. (formal arrangement)
Speaking
Read three imaginary headlines aloud and expand them: “Minister to resign”, “House prices set to fall”, “Scientists on verge of cure”.
Writing
Write a short news article (120–150 words) about a planned event, using at least five advanced future forms.
Lesson quiz
You ___ tell anyone about this. (order)
Review
Key points
- be to: formal plans/orders; if… are to…
- about to / on the point of / on the verge of.
- due to, set to, bound to.
- was to (have).
What you learned
- ✓ I can express the future precisely.
- ✓ I understand news language.
- ✓ I use future in the past.
Grammar reference: Future forms: will, going to, present continuous