English Grammar

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.