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macgregory
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Help
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Can you explain to me the use of the construction " to be + infinitive" in if clauses, e.g. If he is to arrive on time, he must hurry and in questions, e.g. What am I to do, now that I have no money?. I don �t understand it, and cannot think of any further examples. Can you help me, please.
Best wishes,
Greg
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16 Apr 2009
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macgregory
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Thank you very much but I still don �t understan why there is If he is to arrive on time... and not just If he arrives on time...
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16 Apr 2009
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wall05
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I think it is just a matter of formality.
"If I won the lottery..." and "If I were to win the lottery..." are both good sentences but I would consider "If I were to win..." more formal.
In the case of "What am I to do?", this simply means "What should I do?" but again sounds more formal. |
16 Apr 2009
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Zora
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And here are some more examples:
He needs to hurry, if he is to finish the roof before it rains.
If you are to pass the course in May, you need to start studying now.
They should go now, if they are to catch the last train home.
If we are to book a hotel, it should not be expensive.
She has to hurry up, if she is to be first in line for the concert.
If you are to open the shop at ten, you must tell people of this.
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16 Apr 2009
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lubel
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I think you are including a future intention when you use to be + infinitive.
 LUBEL
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16 Apr 2009
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