Alternative future phrases: be about to, be due to, etc.
B2 • quick reference
1) Very near future
| Form & register | Meaning | Pattern & example |
|---|---|---|
| be about to + base (neutral) | Something is going to happen almost immediately. | be about to + V The doors are about to close. Add just/any minute now for emphasis: She’s just about to speak. |
| on the verge/brink/point of + -ing (more formal) | Right before a change or event. | be on the verge/brink/point of + V-ing The two leaders are on the brink of signing a deal. |
| be set/poised to + base (journalistic) | Ready and expected to happen soon. | The company is set to launch a new app next week. |
Near-past interruption: was/were about to + when: I was about to call you when you texted.
2) Planned, scheduled or expected events
| Form & register | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| be due to + base | Timetabled/officially expected. | The ferry is due to arrive at 18:10. |
| be scheduled to + base | In a programme or calendar. | The keynote is scheduled to start at noon. |
| be to + base (formal) | News-style official arrangements; can sound like a directive. | Ministers are to meet on Friday. You are not to use personal devices during the exam. |
3) Be to in purpose/condition clauses
If a result is desired, the condition uses be to.
- If we are to finish on time, everyone must help.
- He’ll need wider support if he is to succeed.
Meaning ≈ “in order to” / “for this to happen”.
4) Probability about the future
| Form | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| be likely/unlikely to + base | Probable / not probable. | It’s likely to rain later. They’re unlikely to change the policy. |
| be bound/certain/sure to + base | Very strong expectation; near certainty. | With those reviews, the show is bound to sell out. |
| be expected to + base | People anticipate this outcome (impersonal/passive tone). | Inflation is expected to fall this quarter. |
5) Choosing the right phrase
| Intent | Best choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Happening almost now | be (just) about to / on the verge of -ing | Signals immediacy; often used with “any minute/second now”. |
| Official plan / instruction | be due to / be to | due to for scheduled events; be to for formal orders or news style. |
| Journalistic headline style | be set/poised to | Concise, common in media reports. |
| Probability strength | likely (probable) → bound/certain (very likely) | Choose intensity to match confidence level. |
Form tips: after verge/brink/point use -ing; after all other items here use the bare infinitive. Negatives follow normal rules: They’re not likely to agree.
Exercises:
Alternative future phrases: “be about to”, “be due to”, etc.
Choose the correct or most appropriate future expression to complete the sentences below.
1
Hurry up — the shuttle
leave.
2
The keynote
begin at 09:30.
3
Given the traffic, the delivery
be delayed.
4
They’re two goals ahead; they
win unless something dramatic happens.
5
According to protocol, all guests
sign in on arrival.
6
The company
announce a new partnership next week.
7
The CEO
make a statement — please take your seats.
8
With no funding, the startup
.
9
The trial
last for three weeks.
10
The new regulations
take effect on 1 January.
Alternative future phrases: “be about to”, “be due to”, etc.
Choose the most appropriate future expression for the sentences below.
1
Hurry up — the bus ____ any second.
A.
B.
C.
D.
2
The new regulations ____ implemented on 1 July.
A.
B.
C.
D.
3
The team ____ announce the results at noon; the release is queued in the CMS.
A.
B.
C.
D.
4
Given the storm alert, the flight ____ be delayed.
A.
B.
C.
D.
5
We ____ launch the beta next week, unless QA finds major issues.
A.
B.
C.
D.
6
The two companies ____ signing a merger agreement — everyone’s talking about it.
A.
B.
C.
D.
7
The minister ____ give a statement at 09:00 sharp, as instructed by the PM.
A.
B.
C.
D.
8
After repeated delays, the project ____ be cancelled if funding doesn’t arrive.
A.
B.
C.
D.
9
Boarding starts at 12:20; passengers ____ be at the gate by 12:10.
A.
B.
C.
D.
10
With a 30-point lead and two races left, she ____ win the championship.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Alternative future phrases: “be about to”, “be due to”, etc.
Rewrite the sentences using the words in brackets so that the new sentences mean the same.
1
The talk will begin in a couple of minutes. → The talk start. (be about to)
2
The flight is scheduled to land at 18:40. → The flight land at 18:40. (be due to)
3
They plan to roll out the update next week. → The company roll out the update next week. (be set to)
4
I am sure she will win. → She win. (be bound to)
5
People expect the director to resign this month. → The director resign this month. (be to)
6
I am going to call you right now. → I call you right now. (be about to)
7
The trial phase will begin in June. → The trial phase begin in June. (be scheduled to)
8
The meeting was just going to start when the alarm rang. → The meeting start when the alarm rang. (be on the point of)
9
It seems they will announce the results soon. → They announce the results soon. (be likely to)
10
According to the timetable, the interns will finish the course by Friday. → The interns finish the course by Friday. (be supposed to)