Structures With Be
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.
