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Volcano1985 Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

be+to+infinitive

0 00Hello02br
00Anyone can tell me the "be to + infinitive" ? Where do we use it ?00 0-
  

Top answer

02br 02br 00 I 01b 00am to stand guard02b 00 at this post. (because of a command)02br 00 He 01b 00was to attend02b 00 today's meeting. (because of a company rule)02br 00They 01b 00were to replace02b 00 the wiring before installing the new light fixture.

  • 02br 02br 00 I 01b 00am to stand guard02b 00 at this post.
  • (because of a command)02br 00 He 01b 00was to attend02b 00 today's meeting.
  • (because of a company rule)02br 00They 01b 00were to replace02b 00 the wiring before installing the new light fixture.
  • (because of building regulations)02br 00You 01b 00are to stop02b 00 when you come to a red light.
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3 Answers
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0 I'm not a grammarian, but that pattern is most often seen in sentences expressing duties and very strong expectations brought about by outside forces, such as a law, rule, regulation, or command.02br
02br
00 I 01b00am to stand guard02b00 at this post. (because of a command)02br
00 He 01b00was to attend02b00 today'
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0 01b01i00Thanks 05002i02b00 010id1
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Be + to infinitive can express:

a). a command you are to stay in your room.

b). an arrangement the queen is to speak at the official opening

c). destiny the soldier never knew they were to die in that terrible slaughter.

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