Be: structures

Be + infinitive

Be can be followed by a to-infinitive. This structure is used to talk about plans and arrangements.

·         I am to meet him tomorrow. 

·         He is to arrive soon. 

·         They are to get married next month.

Be + infinitive can also be used to give commands or orders.

·         You are to finish your homework before you go to bed. 

·         You are to sit in that corner and keep quiet. 

·         You are not to misbehave with the servants. 

Be + perfect infinitive

A perfect infinitive (to have + past participle) can be used after be to show that a planned event did not happen.

·         They were to have been married last month, but had to postpone the marriage. 

Be + passive infinitive

Be+ passive infinitive (to be + past participle) is often used in notices and instructions.

·         This medicine is to be taken twice daily. 

·         The sticker on this bottle is not to be removed. 

·         This book is not to be resold.