Forme
Quand on écrit des obligations futures, on peut utiliser une formule formelle composée de deux éléments:
le verbe "to be" au présent, conjugué pour s'accorder avec le sujet + l'infinitif du verbe principal
To travel, comme obligation future
| Affirmatif | Négatif | Interrogatif | Interrogatif Négatif |
|---|---|---|---|
| I am to travel. | I am not to travel. | Am I to travel? | Am I not to travel? |
| You are to travel. | You are not to travel. | Are you to travel? | Aren't you to travel? |
| He is to travel. | He is not to travel. | Is he to travel? | Isn't he to travel? |
| It is to travel. | It is not to travel. | Is it to travel? | Isn't it to travel? |
| We are to travel. | We are not to travel. | Are we to travel? | Aren't we to travel? |
| They are to travel. | They are not to travel. | Are they to travel? | Aren't they to travel? |
Fonction
Cette utilisation se réfère à une obligation de faire quelque chose à un moment ultérieur à l’instant présent. Elle est semblable à must, mais elle suggère que quelque chose a été préparé ou organisé pour nous. On ne l’utilise normalement pas en anglais parlé.
Exemples
- You are to leave this room at once, and you are to travel by train to London.
- In London you are to pick up your ticket from Mr Smith, and you are to fly to your destination alone.
- When you arrive, you are to meet our agent, Mr X, who will give you further information.
- You are to destroy this message now.