The “be to” + infinitive structure is a useful grammatical tool that can enhance your IELTS performance when used correctly. This construction appears regularly in both the Writing and Speaking sections of the IELTS test, and mastering it can significantly boost your grammatical range and accuracy scores.
IELTS Exam Preparation
Understanding the “Be to” + Infinitive Structure
The “be to” + infinitive structure is used to express various meanings, including:
- Official arrangements or plans
- Instructions or orders
- Destiny or fate
- Something that is supposed to happen
Let’s examine each of these uses with examples relevant to IELTS contexts:
1. Official Arrangements or Plans
This usage is common in formal writing and speaking, making it particularly useful for IELTS Task 2 essays and Speaking Part 3 discussions.
Example: “The new library is to be opened next month by the mayor.”
Analysis: Here, “is to be opened” indicates a formal plan that has been officially decided.
IELTS Application: In a Writing Task 2 essay about urban development, you could write:
“The city council has announced that a new community center is to be built in the downtown area, aiming to provide recreational facilities for local residents.”
2. Instructions or Orders
This usage can be beneficial in IELTS Speaking Part 2 when describing processes or procedures.
Example: “Students are to submit their assignments by Friday.”
Analysis: “are to submit” conveys a clear instruction or requirement.
IELTS Application: In a Speaking Part 2 task about describing a rule, you might say:
“In my university, all students are to attend at least 80% of their classes to be eligible for final exams.”
3. Destiny or Fate
This usage can add a literary flair to your writing, which could be impressive in a high-band IELTS Writing Task 2 essay.
Example: “Little did he know that he was to become one of the most influential scientists of his generation.”
Analysis: “was to become” suggests a future event that was destined to happen, unknown at the time.
IELTS Application: In a Writing Task 2 essay about success, you could write:
“Many great leaders faced early setbacks, unaware that they were to achieve remarkable things later in life.”
4. Something That is Supposed to Happen
This usage is versatile and can be applied in various IELTS tasks.
Example: “The meeting was to start at 2 PM, but it was delayed due to technical issues.”
Analysis: “was to start” indicates a plan or expectation that didn’t materialize as intended.
IELTS Application: In a Writing Task 1 report about a process that encountered problems, you might write:
“The construction was to be completed by 2020, but unforeseen circumstances pushed the deadline to 2022.”
Grammar Formula and Usage
The basic formula for this structure is:
[Be (in appropriate tense)] + to + [base form of verb]
It’s crucial to use the correct form of “be” to match the subject and tense of the sentence. Here are some variations:
- Present: is/are to + infinitive
- Past: was/were to + infinitive
- Perfect: has/have been to + infinitive
- Past Perfect: had been to + infinitive
IELTS Writing Sample:
In a Task 2 essay about environmental policies, you could incorporate multiple forms:
“The government is to implement stricter regulations on industrial emissions next year. Originally, these measures were to be introduced this year, but they have been to undergo further review. Experts argue that if these policies had been to come into effect earlier, significant environmental damage could have been prevented.”
Achieving Higher Band Scores with “Be to” + Infinitive
To score higher in IELTS, it’s not just about using the structure correctly, but also about using it appropriately and in varied ways. Here’s how you can aim for different band scores:
Band 6-6.5:
Use the structure correctly in simple contexts.
Example: “The conference is to be held next week.”
Band 7-7.5:
Use the structure in more complex sentences and with different tenses.
Example: “Although the project was to have been completed last month, unexpected challenges have caused delays.”
Band 8-9:
Use the structure in sophisticated ways, combining it with other advanced grammatical features.
Example: “Had the climate accord been to be ratified as initially planned, we might have witnessed a more rapid transition to renewable energy sources, potentially mitigating some of the severe weather events we’re now experiencing.”
IELTS Writing Task
Common Mistakes to Avoid
-
Confusing “be to” with “have to”:
Incorrect: “I am to study hard.” (This implies an official arrangement)
Correct: “I have to study hard.” (This expresses necessity) -
Using it for personal plans:
Incorrect: “I am to go shopping this afternoon.”
Correct: “I plan to go shopping this afternoon.” -
Incorrect verb form:
Incorrect: “The meeting is to started at 3 PM.”
Correct: “The meeting is to start at 3 PM.” -
Overuse:
Be cautious not to overuse this structure. While it’s effective, excessive use can make your writing sound unnatural.
Conclusion
Mastering the “be to” + infinitive structure can significantly enhance your IELTS performance, particularly in Writing Task 2 and Speaking Parts 2 and 3. Remember to use it for formal arrangements, instructions, discussing fate or destiny, and plans that were supposed to happen. Practice incorporating this structure into your essays and speaking responses, but always ensure you’re using it naturally and appropriately. As you prepare for your IELTS exam, try to identify instances where this structure could effectively convey your ideas, especially in topics related to government policies, educational regulations, or societal changes.
