The “be to” structure is a formal way to express future plans, arrangements, or instructions in English. It’s particularly useful in IELTS Writing and Speaking tasks to demonstrate a higher level of language proficiency. Let’s explore how to use this structure effectively and avoid common mistakes.
Understanding the “Be to” Structure
The “be to” structure is used to talk about official plans, formal arrangements, or instructions for the future. It’s more formal than using “will” or “going to” and can help you achieve a higher band score in IELTS by demonstrating a range of grammatical structures.
Formula and Grammar Rules
The basic formula for using “be to” is:
Subject + [am/is/are] + to + base verb
Examples:
- The meeting is to be held next week.
- We are to submit our reports by Friday.
- The Prime Minister is to address the nation tonight.
In these examples, the “be to” structure indicates official plans or arrangements that have been decided upon.
Using “Be to” in IELTS Writing
Incorporating the “be to” structure in your IELTS Writing can help you achieve a higher score by demonstrating a range of grammatical structures. Here are some examples of how you can use it in different types of IELTS essays:
Task 1 (Academic) – Report Writing
When describing future projections or planned changes in graphs or charts:
“According to the graph, investment in renewable energy is to increase by 50% over the next decade.”
Task 2 – Essay Writing
In argumentative or discussion essays:
“The government is to implement stricter regulations on plastic usage next year, which should significantly reduce environmental pollution.”
Using “Be to” in IELTS Speaking
The “be to” structure can also be used effectively in IELTS Speaking, particularly when discussing formal plans or arrangements:
Part 1 – Introduction and Interview
Examiner: “Do you have any plans for the future?”
Candidate: “Yes, I am to begin my master’s degree in Environmental Science next fall.”
Part 2 – Individual Long Turn
When describing future events or plans in your topic:
“The local council is to build a new community center in my neighborhood. It is to open next spring and is to provide various services for residents.”
Part 3 – Two-way Discussion
When discussing societal changes or government plans:
“Many experts believe that autonomous vehicles are to become commonplace within the next decade, which could revolutionize transportation.”
Advanced Usage for Higher Band Scores
To achieve higher band scores (7+), you should demonstrate the ability to use the “be to” structure in more complex sentences and situations:
- Passive voice: “The new policy is to be implemented by the end of the year.”
- Perfect infinitive: “The project was to have been completed last month, but it faced unexpected delays.”
- Negative form: “Employees are not to use social media during working hours.”
- Questions: “When is the new subway line to open?”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
-
Using “be to” for personal informal plans:
Incorrect: “I am to go shopping later.” (Too formal for a casual plan)
Correct: “I’m going shopping later.” -
Confusing “be to” with “have to”:
Incorrect: “We are to finish this project by Friday.” (If expressing obligation)
Correct: “We have to finish this project by Friday.” -
Using the wrong form of “be”:
Incorrect: “The President are to visit our city next month.”
Correct: “The President is to visit our city next month.” -
Adding -ing to the main verb:
Incorrect: “The committee is to discussing the proposal tomorrow.”
Correct: “The committee is to discuss the proposal tomorrow.” -
Using it for past events:
Incorrect: “The concert was to start at 8 PM yesterday.”
Correct: “The concert was supposed to start at 8 PM yesterday.”
Conclusion
Mastering the “be to” structure can significantly enhance your IELTS performance, particularly in Writing and Speaking tasks. Remember to use it for formal future plans, official arrangements, or instructions. Practice incorporating this structure into your language use, but be mindful of the context to ensure it’s appropriately formal.
To further improve your skills, try rewriting news headlines or government announcements using the “be to” structure. This will help you become more comfortable with its usage and ready you for potential IELTS topics that may require discussing official plans or societal changes.