1. BUSINESS VOCABULARY IN USE Unit 29 - Internet security
ADVANCED
Unit Internet security
Expressing the Future
Advanced

2. be to + infinitive
in news reports about events that are likely to happen in the near future
Police officers are to visit every home in the area.
visit
The main railway line is to be reopened today.
be reopened
formal / official arrangements
The parliament is to introduce a new law on safety at work.
introduce
formal instructions
Children are not to be left unsupervised in the museum.
not be left
orders
You are not to leave the school without my permission.
not leave

3. be to + infinitive In the next few years, thousands of speed cameras
only to talk about future events that can be controlled by people
In the next few years, thousands of speed cameras
are to appear / will appear on major roads.
Scientists say they can‘t predict when or where the disease is to appear / will appear again.
The president is to return / will return to Brazil later today.
The comet is to return / will return to to our solar system in around 500 years.

4. be about to + infinitive
to talk about something that will (not) happen in the very near future
I‘m about to start work on my second novel.
Appearing on TV might make her famous, but it‘s not about to make her rich.
be to + infinitive – in formal contexts
be about to + infinitive – in conversation
I was about to go to bed when my brother turned up. go
Norway hijack suspect was to be deported.
be deported

5. other ways of expressing future
be on the verge of
be on the brink of
+ -ing / noun
be on the point of
People are on the verge of starvation as the drought continues.
People are on the verge of starving as the drought continues.
Scientist are on the brink of making major advances in the fight against AIDS.
I was on the point of phoning the police when I remembered...

6. other ways of expressing future
be sure to / be bound to + infinitive = sth. is likely / certain to happen
There‘s bound to be a coffeeshop at the station.
be set to + infinitive = sth. is ready to happen
Her new film is set to be a great success.
be due to + infinitive = sth. is expected to happen at a particular time
The CEO is due to retire next year.
due to + noun = reason for something, not future
Due to illness, Pavarotti is unable to perform tonight.