IS. To be to (Modal verbs p.8)

Дата публикации: Mar 27, 2016 9:36:50 AM

From Каушанская

To be + Infinitive

This modal expression is very close to must, should, and ought to. It is used in 2 Tenses only – Present Simple and Past Simple.

He is to be sent to the exile. They were to go to honeymoon to Spain.

Functions

1. An order which is the result of arrangement made by one person to another and this arrangement is not discussed. (with the Simple Infinitive only) – должен, должна

You are to go straight to your room.

You are not to tell anyone about this.

It was not up to him to discuss the commands.

He was just to get them across to the others.

2. An arrangement, a part of a plan (both the Simple and the Perfect Infinitive are applicable; though the latter means that the action was not carried out)

Sorry but we had an agreement. I was to make a report.

We were to meet at the entrance door at 7:30 pm.

Have you seen him? No, he was to have met me here next morning.

3. Possibility (in this meaning Passive form of the Infinitive is used unless it is a question that starts with How?) in this meaning it comes very close to that of the modal verb “can”

He knew that higher intellects than those of her circle were to be found in the world.

For a long time none of them was to be seen about their old haunts.

How are they to know where to look for you?

4. Something thought of as unavoidable.

She wanted to be on the same page with everybody and to get along well with them, but apparently, it wasn’t to be. (не суждено быть).

I went on thinking on my lot, wondering almost hourly what was to become with me.

NOTE:

- Used after conjunction “if” it has the meaning of the verb “want”

If we are to remain friends, you must tell me the truth.

- The Russian questions «Что мне делать? », «Как мне быть? » are rendered into English this way: “What am I to do?”

Exercise 8. Comment and translate into Russian (to be + infinitive).

1. The typewriter people were again clamoring for money, insistently pointing out that according to the agreement rent was to be paid strictly in advance. (London)

Владельцы печатных машинок опять требовали денег, настойчиво указывая, что согласно договору арендная плата должна вноситься строго авансом.

An order which is the result of arrangement

2. By that time of evening only a few persons were to be seen on the wet streets and most of the shops and stores were dark and closed for the night. (Caldwell)

К этому позднему времени только немногие прохожие могли быть замечены на сырых улицах и большинство магазинов и лавок были уже закрыты.

Possibility

see people vs. persons

3. "You're to go now, Blick!" said Hunter, getting up. (Murdoch)

Ты должен немедленно идти! сказал Хантер вставая

An order which is the result of arrangement

4. I distinctly told you to stay with her every minute I was away. You are not to be trusted. (Fischer)

Я ясно сказал вам находиться рядом с ней все время пока я буду отсутствовать.

Я не должен больше вам доверять.

Тебя нельзя доверять.

Possibility (нет возможности тебе больше доверять - не запрет)

5. It was after breakfast, and we had been summoned in from the playground, when Mr. Sharp entered and said: "David Copperfield is to go into the parlour." (Dickens)

Это было после завтрака, куда нас позвали с игровой площадки, когда вошел мистер Шарп и сказал: Дэвид Коперфильд должен пойти в гостиную

An order which is the result of arrangement

6. Demetrius was nowhere to be found. (Douglas)

Деметриуса нигде невозможно было найти

Possibility

Demetrius wasn't to be found.

Деметриуса нигде не должны были найти

An arrangement

7. When my wife and I settle down at Willowmere it's possible that we shall all come together. But if this isn't to be, for Heaven's sake, let us recognize that it is simply because it can't be, and not wear hypocritical faces and suffer and be wretched. (Pinero)

Когда мы с женой поселимся в Виллоумере возможно мы все объединимся.

Но если этого не суждено, ради бога, дайте нам понять, что это просто потому, что этого не может быть, и не надевать ханжеские маски и страдать и быть жалкими.

Something thought of as unavoidable

it can't be - incredulity

8. The snow which had lain so thick and beautiful when I left the country was scarcely to be seen in the city... (Murdoch)

Снег, которого выпало так много и он был таким красивым, когда я уезжал из деревни, в городе был едва заметен

Possibility

9. Your mother arranged that she was to come down from London and that I was to come over from Dover to be introduced to you. (Shaw)

Ваша мать договорилась, что она должна будет приехать из Лондона и что я должен буду приехать из Дувра чтобы быть представленным вам.

An arrangement, a part of a plan

10. Mrs. Moore, your delightful doctor has decided on a picnic, instead of a party in his house; we are to meet him out there... (Forster)

Миссис Мур, ваш очаровательный доктор решился на пикник вместо вечеринки в своем доме, мы должны встретить его там.

An arrangement, a part of a plan

11. For June this evening, that was to have been "her treat", was the most miserable she had ever spent. (Galsworthy)

Для Джун этот вечер, который должен был стать для неё наслаждением, оказался на деле самым несчастным из всех вечером в её жизни.

An arrangement, a part of a plan

12. Eliza, you are to live here for the next six months, learning, how to speak beautifully, like a lady in a florist's shop. (Shaw)

Элиза, ты будешь жить здесь следующие 6 месяцев, учиться говорить красиво, как леди из цветочного магазина.

An order which is the result of arrangement

From To Let by Galsworthy

One who was a sculptor, a Slav, a sometime resident in New York, an egoist, and impecunious, was to be found of an evening in June Forsyte's studio on the bank of the Thames at Chiswick.

Скульптор, славянин, прожил некоторое время в НьюЙорке, эгоист, страдает безденежьем. Такого человека вполне естественно встретить вечером в ателье Джун

Форсайт в Чизике на берегу Темзы.

From The Fellowship of the Ring by John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

When the full light of the morning came no signs of the wolves were to be found, and they looked in vain for the bodies of the dead.

Путники окинули взглядом равнину и увидели, что все волколаки скрылись. Но на склонах холма не было и трупов!

clamour verb (especially US English clamor) BrE /ˈklæmə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈklæmər/

1. [intransitive, transitive] (formal) to demand something loudly

clamour (for something) People began to clamour for his resignation.

clamour to do something Everyone was clamouring to know how much they would get.

A great many interest groups were clamouring to be heard.

+ speech ‘Play with us!’ the children clamoured.

2. [intransitive] (of many people) to shout loudly, especially in a confused way

A crowd of reporters clamoured around the car.

distinctly adverb BrE /dɪˈstɪŋktli/ ; NAmE /dɪˈstɪŋktli/

1. in a way that is easily or clearly heard, seen, felt, etc.

I distinctly heard someone calling me.

He could remember everything very distinctly.

2. in a way that shows a quality that is easy to recognize

a distinctly Australian accent

The two techniques are distinctly different.

3. (used with an adjective) definitely or extremely

It is distinctly possible that she will lose.

He looked distinctly uncomfortable.

parlour noun (especially US English parlor) BrE /ˈpɑːlə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈpɑːrlər/

(old-fashioned) a room in a private house for sitting in, entertaining visitors, etc.

(in compounds) (especially North American English) a shop/store that provides particular goods or services

a beauty/an ice-cream parlour

hypocritical adjective BrE /ˌhɪpəˈkrɪtɪkl/ ; NAmE /ˌhɪpəˈkrɪtɪkl/ (disapproving)

pretending to have moral standards or opinions that you do not actually have

лицемерный, притворный, ханжеский

wretched adjective BrE /ˈretʃɪd/ ; NAmE /ˈretʃɪd/

1. (of a person) feeling ill/sick or unhappy

You look wretched—what's wrong?

I felt wretched about the way things had turned out.

She looked thoroughly wretched.

2. (formal) extremely bad or unpleasant

synonym awful

She had a wretched time of it at school.

The animals are kept in the most wretched conditions.

3. (formal) making you feel sympathy or pity

synonym pitiful

She finally agreed to have the wretched animal put down.

4. [only before noun] (informal) used to show that you think that somebody/something is extremely annoying

Is it that wretched woman again?

1) бедный, несчастный

2) разг. плохой, жалкий, никудышный

3) презренный, низкий

4) разг. ужасный, отчаянный, крайний

treat noun BrE /triːt/ ; NAmE /triːt/ - something very pleasant and enjoyable, especially something that you give somebody or do for them

We took the kids to the zoo as a special treat.

You've never been to this area before? Then you're in for a real treat.

When I was young chocolate was a treat.

Let's go out for lunch—my treat (= I will pay).