View Full Version : 'tobe' + 'to' + 'bare-infinitive'
thanhlt
09-05-2008, 07:51 PM
Hi everyone
I wonder if some could help me understand the meaning as well as the using of this structure 'tobe' + 'to' + 'bare-infinitive'. Here are the two stituation i had been in.
When i accepted an request of my friend by replying to him an email, then he sent to me the second email stated "the email was to let you know my opinion". in this case i understand "was to let".
However when i read the sentence: "what difficulties would you encounter if you are to include spoken grammar in you teaching?" i cannot understand the strucuture "are to include" here.
please help me to understand this structure.
MANH NGUYEN
09-05-2008, 11:14 PM
Hi everyone
I wonder if some could help me understand the meaning as well as the using of this structure 'tobe' + 'to' + 'bare-infinitive'. Here are the two stituation i had been in.
When i accepted an request of my friend by replying to him an email, then he sent to me the second email stated "the email was to let you know my opinion". in this case i understand "was to let".
However when i read the sentence: "what difficulties would you encounter if you are to include spoken grammar in you teaching?" i cannot understand the strucuture "are to include" here.
please help me to understand this structure.
It is similar to "must", "to have to"as I understood.:):)
I also found this:
http://books.google.com/books?id=qVRepCphUlMC&pg=PA131&lpg=PA131&dq=%22to+be+to+%2B+verb%22&source=web&ots=zLFtcIc2rt&sig=gjdqxFqfPWqsaTGBsOr6_VgacWo&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=2&ct=result
Paddy
09-06-2008, 10:28 AM
Hi everyone
I wonder if some could help me understand the meaning as well as the using of this structure 'tobe' + 'to' + 'bare-infinitive'. Here are the two stituation i had been in.
When i accepted an request of my friend by replying to him an email, then he sent to me the second email stated "the email was to let you know my opinion". in this case i understand "was to let".
However when i read the sentence: "what difficulties would you encounter if you are to include spoken grammar in your teaching?" i cannot understand the strucuture "are to include" here.
please help me to understand this structure.
structure if you are to do something thì có thể tạm dịch là nếu anh/chị mà làm cái gì .
Những khó khăn gì anh/chị sẽ [quá khứ] gặp nếu anh/chị mà bỏ thêm văn nói [tạm dịch] vào trong chuyện/sự/bài dậy của anh/chị ?
thanhlt
09-07-2008, 10:22 AM
That's a great book, thank Manh Nguyen, i'll buy it
rukkhamula
09-22-2008, 10:34 AM
See usage examples below.
It is important to note that this construction is formal, so it typically appears in official announcements, written instructions, etc. You would generally not use it in informal speech. If you do, it can sound rather pompous. It is often used in news announcements: George Bush is to visit France next month.
You might hear it in formal conversation, such as a manager giving instructions to his staff or advising them about their rights and conditions. But even in this case the source material is usually written.
be to do sth (formal)
a) used to talk about arrangements for the future
Audrey and Jimmy are to be married in June.
Two men are to appear in court on charges of armed robbery.
We were to have gone away last week, but I was ill.
b) used to give an order or to tell someone about a rule
You are to wait here in this room until I return.
All staff are to wear uniforms.
c) used to say or ask what someone should do or what should happen
What am I to tell her?
He is not to be blamed.
d) used to ask how something can be done
How are we to get out of the present mess?
From the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Informal alternatives
1) going to
Audrey and Jimmy are going to be married in June.
What am I going to tell her?
How are we going to get out of the present mess?
We were going to go away last week, but I was ill.
2) Please + verb (for instructions)
Please wait here until I return.
3) A modal verb
All staff must wear uniforms.
He can't be blamed.
4) Supposed to
We were supposed to go/have gone away last week, but I was ill.
That is for a past event which did not happen. If the sentence is about a future event, you have the following:
We are to go away next week. (Formal, to the point of sounding a bit ridiculous!)
Informal
We are going away/going to go away next week.
We are supposed to go away next week. (The speaker may have some doubts about whether they will manage to do this.)
dethuong_x0x
09-22-2008, 11:02 AM
So, can I use this structure, tobe + going to + Verb-infinity, in writing essays?
This thread makes me crazy :confused::confused::confused:
MANH NGUYEN
09-22-2008, 01:45 PM
So, can I use this structure, tobe + going to + Verb-infinity, in writing essays?
This thread makes me crazy :confused::confused::confused:
LA THI TUONG LAI GAN (Near Future)
To be + going to + verb (infinitive)
Or
To be about to + verb (infinitive
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