be to
verb7 senses
- 1Used to express an official plan, arrangement, or…
- 2Used in the past tense to indicate that something was…
- 3Used after if to introduce a condition that must be met…
- 4Used to give commands, instructions, or to state rules.…
- 5Used to ask or state what someone should do.
- 6Used to ask how something is possible or achievable
- 7Used after if or in inversion to describe hypothetical…
1
Used to express an official plan, arrangement, or scheduled event.
- The CEO is to announce the new company strategy tomorrow.
2
Used in the past tense to indicate that something was supposed to happen or was destined to happen.
- Strange things were to occur all over the country.
3
Used after if to introduce a condition that must be met in order for something to happen or succeed.
- If we are to make it, we'd better get a taxi.
4
Used to give commands, instructions, or to state rules. In negative form, it expresses prohibition.
- You are to hand in your essay by Friday.
5
Used to ask or state what someone should do.
- What is he to do in such a difficult situation?
6
Used to ask how something is possible or achievable
- How am I to reach the top shelf without a ladder?
7
Used after if or in inversion to describe hypothetical or imagined scenarios.
- If you were to find a wallet on the street, would you take it?
- Were the government to ban zoos, it would put breeding programs at risk.