“be+不定式”是一个很有用的结构,它不仅在中学教材中经常出现,而且在高考题中也经常出现。结合中学生学习和考试的实际情况,我们将该结构的用法归纳如下。
一、表示将来或预计
I don't know what is to happen to us.
我不知道我们会发生什么事。
I went to have a look at the room where I was to talk that afternoon.
我去看了一下地方,当天下午我要在那里讲话。
It was 1491. Columbus was to reach America a year later.
那是1491年,一年后哥伦布到达了美洲。
说明:当该结构中用了still 或 yet 时,其将来意义更加突出。如:
The worst is still to come. 还有最糟糕的事情要发生。
The most severe weather is yet [still] to come. 最恶劣的天气还没有到。
The best item on the programme is still to come. 最好看的节目还在后头。
注意,该结构表示将来的用法是有限的,原则上,只有当表示的动作为人所控制时才可使用它来表示将来,否则就是错的。如可说 I'm going to play tennis,也可说 I'm to play tennis,因为其中的 play tennis是可以人为控制的。而在以下各例中,其中的动作均不能为人所限制,所以going不可省略:
He's going to be fat. 他要发胖了。
There is going to be a storm. 要下暴风雨了。
You're going to break that chair. 你会把那把椅子弄坏的。
二、表示计划或意图
They are to be married. 他们打算结婚。
We are to be married in June. 我们计划在6月结婚。
说明:该结构也可用于条件状语从句。如:
If I'm to be there on time, I must leave at once. 如果我要想准时赶到那儿,我就必须马上动身。
If we are to succeed in this enterprise, we shall need to plan everything very carefully. 如果我们想要在这项事业上取得成功,我们就需要把一切都仔细计划好。
另外,若表示过去未曾实现的想法或意图,其中的不定式则用完成式。如:
We were to have gone away last week, but I was ill. 我们本打算上周走的,但是我病了。
I was to have started work last week, but I changed my mind.
我本该上周开始工作的,但我改变了主意。
比较:
He was to go. 当时他是要去的。(至于最后去没去,不得而知)
He was to have gone. 他本来是要去的。(但实际上却没有去)
三、表示责任或义务
You are to report to the police. 你应该报警。
I am to inform you that... 我有义务(我受人之托)通知你……
She is to be in class at 9 am. 她应该上午9点到课堂。
四、表示命令或规定
You are not to smoke here. 此处禁止吸烟。
All staff is to wear uniforms. 全体工作人员必须穿制服。
Visitors are to leave when the bell rings. 来访者必须在铃响时离开。
You are to do your homework before you watch TV. 你得做完了作业才能看电视。
She can go to the party, but she's not to be back late.
她可以去参加聚会,但不能晚回来。
No one is to leave this building without the permission of the police.
未经警务人员允许,任何人不得擅自离开这座房子。