Other ways to express future: Be about to, be due to, etc.

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✏️ Exercises

Other Ways to Express Future

Grammar chart titled 'Other Ways to Express Future' showing six future expressions: be about to, be on the brink/verge/point of, be due to, be to, be bound to, and be likely to — with examples and usage notes.

English offers several nuanced ways to talk about the future beyondwill and going to. This guide explains six common structures — including be about to, be due to, be to, and others — with clear examples and usage contexts.

🔵 Be About To / Be on the Brink/Verge/Point of

These expressions describe something that will happen **very soon**.

➤ Be about to + infinitive

  • Some apps are about to disappear from the market.
  • Scientists say they are about to find a vaccine.

➤ Be on the brink/verge/point of + -ing

  • Our country’s economy is on the brink of collapse.
  • This historical museum is on the brink of losing half its masterpieces.
  • They are on the verge of becoming the team to win the most finals in history.
  • The two historical enemies are on the point of reaching an agreement.

🟢 Be Due To + Infinitive

Used for **planned or expected** future events, often in formal or news contexts.

  • Greece is due to repay around £6 billion to its creditors next semester.
  • The secretary is due to arrive in Montreal tomorrow morning.

🟣 Be To + Infinitive

This formal structure is used in several contexts:

➤ Official arrangements (news style)

  • Prince William is to visit Paris for the first time since his mother died.
  • Nine care homes for the elderly are to close by the end of March.

➤ Formal instructions or orders

  • All employees are to attend a health and safety orientation at the end of the week.
  • You are not to leave this room until I say so.

➤ In "if" clauses (conditions for success)

  • We need to be open to everybody’s opinion if we are to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.
  • If he is to succeed, he will need to learn to represent the interests of all Americans.

🟡 Be Bound To / Be Likely To (Probability)

➤ Be bound to + infinitive = certain or very likely

  • They are bound to like him. He is such a sweet guy.
  • His new film is bound to win the hearts of every romantic out there.

➤ Be likely to + infinitive = probable

  • The government is likely to pass new regulations very soon.
  • It’s likely that the company will have to pay for the damages.

➤ Be unlikely to = probably not

  • He is unlikely to win this match.
  • It’s unlikely that the weather will change over the next few days.

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ The meeting is about disappearing.

✅ The meeting is about to be canceled.

❌ She is due arriving tomorrow.

✅ She is due to arrive tomorrow.

❌ They are likely win.

✅ They are likely to win.