Практическая грамматика

§6. To be+ Infinitive.
To be + Infinitive is a modal expression.
This modal expression can be used in two tenses—the Present Indefinite and the Past Indefinite (was, were).
Dear Jim, I am to be shot at sunrise to-morrow.(Voynich)
They were to go to Spain for the honeymoon. (Galsworthy)
To be + Infinitive expresses a weakened order, an arrangement, possibility, something thought of as unavoidable. The ways of rendering this expression in Russian differ in accordance with its meaning.
1. An order which is generally the result of an arrangement made by one person for another, an arrangement which is not to be discussed. In this case only the Indefinite Infinitive is used.
You are to go straight to your room. You are to say nothing of
this to anyone. (De la Roche)
Ты должна идти прямо в свою комнату. Ты никому не должна ничего говорить об этом.
Norman says I am to leave you alone.
Норман говорит, что я должен оставить тебя в покое.
2. An arrangement or agreement, part of a plan.
In this meaning both the Indefinite and the Perfect infinitive can be used; the Perfect Infinitive shows that the action was not carried out.
I'm sorry, Major, we had an agreement– I was to do the
questioning here. (Heym)
Простите, майор, мы условились, что допрос буду вести я.
We were to meet at the entrance of the theatre at a
quarter to eight. (mutual arrangement)
Мы должны были встретиться у входа в театр.
He was to have met me here the next morning." (Voynich)
Он должен был встретить меня здесь на следующее утро.
3. Possibility.
In this meaning the passive form of the Infinitive is used unless it is a question beginning with the interrogative adverb how. Here the meaning of the modal expression comes very close to that of the verb can.
Her father was often to be seen in the bar of the Hotel Metropole.
Ее отца часто можно было видеть в баре отеля Метрополь.
Where is he to be found?
Где можно его найти?
How are they to know that you are well connected if you do not show it by your costume?
Как могут они знать, что вы– человек со связями, если вы не показываете этого своей манерой одеваться.
4. Something thought of as unavoidable; something that is destined to happen.
He was to be my teacher and friend for many years to come.
Ему суждено было быть моим учителем и другом на протяжении многих лет.
I went about brooding over my lot, wondering almost hourly what was to become of me. (Dreiser)
Я все время размышлял о своей судьбе, беспрестанно задавая себе вопрос, что со мною станет.