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
Choose the correct option to complete each sentence 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
Choose the correct options for the gaps in these sentences.
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
Rewrite the second part of the sentence without repeating the verb or verb phrase. Include ‘to’ when it is required. Don’t include ‘to’ when it can be dropped.
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)