Three set phrases with be talk about the future: be about to (very soon), be due to (scheduled) and be to (arranged or ordered). Each is followed by to and the base verb.
Три сталі звороти з be говорять про майбутнє: be about to (зовсім скоро), be due to (за розкладом) і be to (домовленість або наказ). Після кожного йде to і базова форма дієслова.
Always to + base verb: about to start, due to start, is to start · Be changes with the subject: I am, she is, they are · Past: I was about to call you.
B2
Be about to: very soon
New
Use be about to for something that will happen in the next moments. In the past it means you were just going to do something.Be about to — для того, що станеться за кілька хвилин. У минулому означає, що ви саме збиралися щось зробити.
subject+be about to+base verb
Hurry up! The film is about to start. Поспішайте! Фільм ось-ось почнеться.
I was about to call you when the phone rang. Я саме збирався тобі телефонувати, коли задзвонив телефон.
The film is about starting.
The film is about to start.
Типова помилка: Українські «ось-ось» і «саме збирався» передає be about to. Після about завжди to + базова форма, а не -ing.
Quick Check
1/4
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Hurry up! The film is about start.
2/4
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Tap the words in the order of the sentence.
3/4
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She leave when the phone rang.
was about to In the past use was / were about to.
4/4
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Don't go out. It rain.
is about to Be about to + base verb.
B2
Be due to: scheduled
New
Use be due to for something that is expected or planned at a certain time, such as trains, meetings and births.Be due to — для того, що очікують або заплановано на певний час: потяги, зустрічі, пологи.
subject+be due to+base verb
The train is due to arrive at six. Потяг має прибути о шостій.
The new shop is due to open next month. Новий магазин має відкритися наступного місяця.
The train is due arrive at six.
The train is due to arrive at six.
Типова помилка: Українське «має прибути» за розкладом — це be due to. Не пропускайте to: is due to arrive.
Quick Check
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The exam results out tomorrow.
are due to come Be due to + base verb.
2/4
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She is due to back on Friday.
3/4
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The conference is to start on Monday.
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One word is in the wrong form. Type the correct form.
The shop is due to opens on Monday.
B2
Be to: arrangements and orders
New
Use be to for a formal arrangement or an order. Negative: are not to means you must not.Be to — для офіційної домовленості або наказу. Заперечення are not to означає «не можна».
subject+be to+base verb
The president is to visit Kyiv next week. Президент має відвідати Київ наступного тижня.
You are to wait here until I return. Ви маєте чекати тут, поки я повернуся.
You are wait here until I return.
You are to wait here until I return.
Типова помилка: Українське «мати + інфінітив» («Ви маєте чекати») передає be to. Be не можна пропускати: you are to wait, а не you to wait.