Cambridge Grammar of English Hardback with cd-rom a comprehensive Guide

OTHER MODAL VERBS AND FUTURE REFERENCE

375

Other modal verbs are also often used with future reference:

There 

might be a student demo next week against the rise in fees.

Do you think you 

may go camping again this summer?

Can you cope with the kids this afternoon?

She 

could arrive tonight, we’re not sure.

You 

must come here tomorrow at ten o’clock.

Û

377–407 Modality

Û

539 Glossary for any unfamiliar terms

Future time | 635

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OTHER FORMS FOR REFERRING TO THE FUTURE

376

Other forms can be used to refer to future events, particularly if they are to happen

in the near future. 

Be to

Be to

may be used for future reference in the context of obligations, requirements,

formal decisions, etc. Be to structures are common with conditional clauses:

It’s a very big problem. What 

am I to say to them? 

If we

’re to get there by five, we should get a move on.

If Tom

’s to go and live with his mother, then his sister should too.

Be to

for giving instructions, orders or commands is rare in informal conversation:

You

’re to do your homework and to do it neatly this time.

She

’s not to come back late.

Be to

is common in specific styles such as newspaper headlines and news reports.

In headlines it often occurs in an ellipted form:

Pupils 

to sit new national exams.

(Pupils are to sit new national exams.)

[headline about laws to control gun ownership. MP = Member of the British

Parliament]

Police 

to challenge MPs on guns.

(The police are to challenge MPs on guns.)

The government 

is to introduce legislation to restrict immigration.