Concerning "be to"

Question

Q1. Does "She was to become a singer." mean the followings each according to a context?1.  She was slated to become a singer.2.  She intended to become a singer.3.  She was intended to become a singer.4.  She was destined to become a singer.Q2. Can "I am to pass the exam." mean "I intend to(/want to) pass the exam."?Q3. "If you are to pass the exam, you should study harder." mean "If you intend to(/want to) pass the exam, you ~."?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

thanks31. She was slated to become a singer.

Possible.

thanks32. She intended to become a singer.

No.

thanks33. She was intended to become a singer.

I can't use "intend" like that.

thanks34. She was destined to become a singer.

No. The usual meaning is "She became a singer later on."

thanks3Q2. Can "I am to pass the exam." mean "I intend to(/want to) pass the exam."?

No. "I am to pass the exam" can mean "I must pass the exam or else."

thanks3"If you are to pass the exam, you should study harder." mean "If you intend to(/want to) pass the exam, you ~."?

I wouldn't say that. The sentence is faulty because the "are to" formula doesn't work with the conditional. Better is "If you are to pass the exam, you must study harder." It means that you might pass the exam when it comes, but only if you study harder.

Concerning "be to"

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