Other ways to express future: Be about to, be due to, etc.

Exercises: 1 2 3

Exercise 3

Rewrite the sentences using the words in brackets so that the new sentences mean the same.

1Arsenal have arranged to sign the new player in the next few days. (are)

Arsenal the new player in the next few days.

2It is expected that another protest will take place on July 16. (due)

Another protest on July 16.

3The election process will begin immediately. (about)

The election process .

4The athlete will achieve his lifetime goal very soon. (verge)

The athlete his lifetime goal.

5The competition will undoubtedly be very tough. (bound)

The competition very tough.

6Works to repair the church are expected to start next month. (due)

Works to repair the church next month.

7After his last defeat, he admitted he is about to give up professional boxing. (point)

After his last defeat, he admitted he professional boxing.

8You mustn't speak unless you are told to. (not to)

You unless you are told to.

9The midfield player is ready to sign a new contract with Real Madrid. (due)

The midfield player a new contract with Real Madrid.

10Hurry up! The guests will arrive any minute. (about)

Hurry up! The guests .

Exercises: 1 2 3

Other ways to express future: Grammar chart

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Be about to, be on the brink/verge/point of

Be about to

We often use be about to + infinitive to say that something will happen in the very near future.

Some apps are about to disappear from the market.
Scientists say they are about to find a vaccine.

Be on the brink/verge/point of

We can also use be on the brink of, be on the verge of, or be on the point of to say that something will happen very soon.

Our country’s economy is on the brink of collapse.
This historical museum is on the brink of losing half its masterpieces.
They are on the verge of becoming the team to win the most finals in history.
The two historical enemies are on the point of reaching an agreement.

Be due to

We use be due to + infinitive to talk about future events that are planned or expected to happen.

Greece is due to repay around £6 billion to its creditors next semester.
The secretary is due to arrive in Montreal tomorrow morning.

Be to

We can use be to + infinitive in different situations.

Official arrangements

Be to + infinitive is often used in news reports to talk about official arrangements and events that are planned or expected to happen. The meaning is usually something like ‘it is expected’.

Prince William is to visit Paris for the first time since his mother died. (=It is expected that Prince William will…)
Nine care homes for the elderly are to close by the end of March.

Formal instructions and orders

We can also use be to + infinitive to talk about official instructions and orders. When used in the negative form, it expresses prohibition.

All employees are to attend a health and safety orientation at the end of the week.
You are not to leave this room until I say so.

If clauses

We often use be to + infinitive in an if-clause. In these cases, we say what should be done (main clause) to achieve the desired result (if-clause).

We need to be open to everybody’s opinion if we are to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.
If he is to succeed, he will need to learn to represent the interests of all Americans.

Be bound to, be likely to (probability)

Be bound to

We use be bound to + infinitive to say that something is certain or very likely to happen.

They are bound to like him. He is such a sweet guy.
His new film is bound to win the hearts of every romantic out there.

Be likely to

We use be likely to + infinitive to say that something will probably happen. We can also use It + be likely that + clause.

The government is likely to pass new regulations very soon.
It’s likely that the company will have to pay for the damages.

We use be unlikely + infinitive to say that something will probably not happen. We can also use It + be unlikely that + clause.

He is unlikely to win this match.
It’s unlikely that the weather will change over the next few days.

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