1.5.5 Be to


We can use the present of be plus to and an infinitive to formally express instructions or a plan, e.g.:



You are to go abroad at once.
(Cal que surti del país immediatament.)
The Prime Minister is to visit Sri Lanka.
(El primer ministre visitarà Sri Lanka.)


We can use the past of be plus to and an infinitive to formally express a plan in past time, e.g.:



They were to take the plane last Friday.
(Tenien la intenció d'agafar l'avió divendres passat.)

(This leaves it open as to whether they took the plane or not.)

We can also use be plus to have and a past participle, e.g.:



They were to have taken the plane last Friday.
(Tenien la intenció d'agafar l'avió divendres passat.)

(This throws doubt on whether they took the plane.)

We can also use be to plus an infinitive to express a sense of destiny, e.g.:



Later she was to return in a very different role.
(Més tard tornaria en un paper ben diferent.)
They were to meet again many years later.
(Es tornarien a trobar molts anys després.)