① be about to do sth.表示“正要做某事,馬上要做某事”,主語一般是人,時間距離很近(immediate future),后面不可跟表示將來時間的狀語,如soon,at once,immediately。be about to do 后還常跟when 從句,相當(dāng)于just at this time,也可以是 was doing…when(正在做……這時),had done…when(剛剛做……這時)。
I was just about to leave when the telephone rang. 我正要離開時,電話鈴響了。
I was writing a letter when the light went out. 我正在寫一封信,這時燈熄滅了。
We had just started our work when the machine broke down.我們才剛剛開始工作,這時機(jī)器就壞了。
I was walking down the road when a bird flew past overhead. 我正在路上走著,這時一只鳥從頭頂上飛過。
They are about to leave soon.
They are about to leave.
他們就要動身了。
② be+to do sth.表示預(yù)先的安排或計劃,也表示命令、指示、勸告等。主語一般是人,有時可以是物。
The foreign friends are to arrive this evening. 外國朋友定于今天晚上到達(dá)。(安排)
Father is to return next month. 父親將于下個月回來。(計劃)
The plan is to be made in a week. 計劃將在一周內(nèi)做好。(計劃)
You are not to walk on the grass. 不許踐踏草坪。(命令)
You are to be criticized if you do like that. 你那樣做就會受到批評。(警告)
All the exercise-books are to be handed in after class. 所有的練習(xí)本都必須在課后交上來。(要求)
She was to have left earlier,but it rained. 她本打算早些離開的,但是卻下雨了。
提示
①be to do sth. 用于第二人稱時,有時表示“應(yīng)該,理應(yīng)”的含義,相當(dāng)于should。
You are to give her more help. 你應(yīng)該給她更多的幫助。
You are to study harder. 你應(yīng)該更努力地學(xué)習(xí)。
②be to do sth. 也可以是表語結(jié)構(gòu)。
Her duty is to keep the hall clean and tidy. 她的職責(zé)是保持大廳整潔。
One of the most urgent things to do now is to get enough money. 現(xiàn)在要做的最緊迫的事情之一是弄到足夠的錢。