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.
(Es necesario que salga del país inmediatamente.)
The Prime Minister is to visit Sri Lanka.
(El primer ministro visitará 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.
(Tenían la intención de tomar el avión el viernes pasado.)

(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.
(Tenían la intención de tomar el avión el viernes pasado.)

(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.
(Más tarde volvería con un papel muy diferente.)
They were to meet again many years later.
(Se volverían a encontrar muchos años más tarde.)