Spotlight 11 Module 1 Expressing Future
методическая разработка по английскому языку (11 класс) на тему

Ways of Expressing Future

• Be to + infinitive (“надлежит”) is used to talk about formal plans, arrangements, regulations:

The President is to visit Poland next Monday.  – В понедельник президент совершит визит в Польшу.

The British Ambassador is to meet the President at the White House on Friday.  – В пятницу британский посол должен встретиться с президентом в Белом доме.

The factory is to close for 3 weeks for repairs.  – Завод закрывается на 3-недельный ремонт.

She is to become the youngest Member of Parliament in our history.  – Она должна стать самым молодым парламентарием в нашей истории.

You’re to be there by 8 o’clock. – Вам надлежит быть здесь к 8.

You’re not to cross the road without me.  – Не переходи дорогу без меня.

• Be about to + infinitive is used to talk about things which are going to happen very soon:

I’m about to eat. Can I phone you back?

Mr Simon was about to resign but the manager offered him a better salary. – Господин Саймон как раз собирался уволиться, когда управляющий предложил ему прибавку.

It is often used with just:

We’re just about to set off for a walk. Do you want to come?

When used in the past, be about to can refer to things that were going to happen but didn’t:

I was about to complain but he came over and apologised.

We don’t use be about to with time expressions:

I was about to call you. (Not: I was about to call you in ten minutes.)

• Be on the point of + ing-form/noun (“только собираться”) is used to talk about something going to happen very soon:

The company is on the point of closing down. – Компания на грани закрытия.

It is understood that the Chancellor is on the point of announcing his resignation. – Понятно, что канцлер собирается объявить об увольнении.

• Be Due to + infinitive (“намечено”) is used to talk about things that are expected or planned to happen at a certain time. We often use it with a time expression:

Are you due to hand in homework today?

The plane’s due to arrive in half an hour.  – Самолёт прибывает через полчаса.

Their flight is due to arrive at 6:15. – Их рейс прибудет в 6:15.

Clare’s due to have her operation in 3 weeks’ time. – Операция Клэр намечена через 3 недели.

The train is due in London at 5 AM. – Поезд будет в Лондоне в 5 утра.

• Be Sure/Certain/Bound to + infinitive (“произойти наверняка”) is used to talk about certainty about the future:

This plan is sure to succeed. – Этот план обязательно удастся.

He was so violently sick he declared he was bound to die. – Он так сильно болел, что заявил о своей скорой смерти.

It is certain that they will sign the contract. – Они наверняка подпишут контракт.

Use the correct structure to express future:

The bus is …….. to come.

"It was ……… to happen," I said as I passed the Boston paper to the others as they joined us.

We were ………… leaving when the phone rang.

I must go, I’m ………. be at Mr B's at 7 o'clock.

Don’t start talking to them now - they’re ……… to leave.

The train is ……... to arrive at Glasgow Central at 12:12.

Answers:

The bus is about to come.

"It was bound to happen," I said as I passed the Boston paper to the others as they joined us.

We were on the point of leaving when the phone rang.

I must go, I’m due to be at Mr B's at 7 o'clock.

Don’t start talking to them now - they’re about to leave.

The train is due to arrive at Glasgow Central at 12:12.

P.S. значение to be due to do sth. отличается от значения to be about to to sth./to be on the verge of doing sth.

- I'm about to leave или I'm on the verge of leaving = "Я вот-вот уйду/собираюсь уйти". (Просто фраза, сказанная непосредственно перед уходом).

- I'm due to leave tommorrow = "Я должен/собираюсь уйти/уехать завтра" (Этот уход был оговорен, запланирован и, как правило, дело это уже решенное).