How do you use "be + to infinitive" in a sentence?

The Prime Minister is to make a statement.' (planned) They were to be married that spring.' (planned/destiny) All visitors are to sign in.' (instruction) If we are to succeed, we must work together.' (condition)

be + to infinitive

Q: What does "be + to infinitive" mean?

Formal structures for plans, destiny, and instructions 'Be + to infinitive' has several uses: formal plans/arrangements ('The president is to visit next week'), fate/destiny ('They were never to meet again'), formal instructions ('You are to report at 9am'), and conditional structures ('If we are to succeed...').

Grammar Pattern BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★☆☆ Moderate Formal

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Meaning: Formal structures for plans, destiny, and instructions

表示计划、命运和指示的正式结构

Estructuras formales para planes, destino e instrucciones

計画、運命、指示のための正式な構造

계획, 운명, 지시를 나타내는 격식체 구조

'Be + to infinitive' has several uses: formal plans/arrangements ('The president is to visit next week'), fate/destiny ('They were never to meet again'), formal instructions ('You are to report at 9am'), and conditional structures ('If we are to succeed...').

'Be + to不定式'有几种用法：正式计划/安排（'The president is to visit next week'）、命运（'They were never to meet again'）、正式指示（'You are to report at 9am'）和条件结构（'If we are to succeed...'）。

'Be + to infinitivo' tiene varios usos: planes/arreglos formales ('The president is to visit next week'), destino ('They were never to meet again'), instrucciones formales ('You are to report at 9am'), y estructuras condicionales ('If we are to succeed...').

「Be + to不定詞」にはいくつかの用法があります：正式な計画/手配（「The president is to visit next week」）、運命（「They were never to meet again」）、正式な指示（「You are to report at 9am」）、条件構造（「If we are to succeed...」）。

'Be + to 부정사'는 여러 용법이 있습니다: 공식적인 계획/일정 ('The president is to visit next week'), 운명/숙명 ('They were never to meet again'), 공식 지시 ('You are to report at 9am'), 그리고 조건 구문 ('If we are to succeed...').

Examples

The Prime Minister is to make a statement.' (planned)
首相将发表声明。'（计划中）
El Primer Ministro hará una declaración.' (planeado)
首相は声明を発表する予定です。'（予定）
총리가 성명을 발표할 예정입니다.' (예정)
They were to be married that spring.' (planned/destiny)
他们原定于那年春天结婚。'（计划/命运）
Ellos iban a casarse esa primavera.' (planeado/destino)
彼らはその春に結婚する予定でした。'（予定/運命）
그들은 그해 봄에 결혼할 예정이었습니다.' (예정/운명)
All visitors are to sign in.' (instruction)
所有访客须签到。'（指示）
Todos los visitantes deben registrarse.' (instrucción)
すべての訪問者はサインインしてください。'（指示）
모든 방문자는 서명해야 합니다.' (지시)
If we are to succeed, we must work together.' (condition)
如果我们要成功，就必须齐心协力。'（条件）
Si queremos tener éxito, debemos trabajar juntos.' (condición)
成功するためには、協力しなければなりません。'（条件）
성공하려면 함께 협력해야 합니다.' (조건)

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: written, news, formal, literary

Tone: formal

✓ Do Say

The meeting is to take place tomorrow.
会议定于明天举行。
La reunión será mañana.
会議は明日行われます。
회의는 내일 열릴 예정입니다.
He was to become one of the greatest.
他后来成为了最伟大的人物之一。
Él iba a convertirse en uno de los más grandes.
彼は最も偉大な人物の一人になるはずでした。
그는 가장 위대한 인물 중 한 명이 될 운명이었다.
You are to complete this by Friday.
你必须在周五之前完成这个。
Debes completar esto para el viernes.
これを金曜日までに完成させなければなりません。
이것을 금요일까지 완료해야 합니다.
If this plan is to work...
如果这个计划要成功的话……
Si este plan ha de funcionar...
この計画がうまくいくためには……
이 계획이 성공하려면……
The meeting is to take place.
会议将要举行。
La reunión se llevará a cabo.
会議が開催される予定です。
회의가 열릴 예정입니다.
He is to visit next week.
他将于下周来访。
Él debe visitar la próxima semana.
彼は来週訪問する予定です。
그는 다음 주에 방문할 예정입니다.

✗ Don't Say

The meeting is to taking place. (infinitive)
The meeting is to taking place.（应使用不定式）
The meeting is to taking place.（se usa el infinitivo）
The meeting is to taking place.（不定詞を使う）
The meeting is to taking place.（부정사를 사용）
He to visit next week. (missing 'is')
He to visit next week.（缺少'is'）
He to visit next week.（falta 'is'）
He to visit next week.（「is」が必要）
He to visit next week.（'is'가 필요）

Origin & History

Formal infinitive structure

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal