词典词条 · 问答

be to ⁴

核心问题

They looked in the folds of her dress, in the folds of her cloak, in the pockets, everywhere. It( = The necklace) was not to be found. [许国璋《英语》第四册,p.60]

不明白这里的 be to 具有什么样的词汇含义。我查阅了许多语法书,都说 be to 有两种含义。

A. 表示将来的一种安排:

  1. Their daughter is to be married soon. (CGEL) 他们的女儿马上就要结婚了。

  2. The Prime Minister is to visit Canada next month. (PEU) 首相定于下月访问加拿大。

B. 表示“应该”“应当”“必须”(可表示命令):

  1. You are not to smoke in this room. (LDCE) 你不可在这房间里抽烟。

  2. The form is to be filled in and returned within three weeks. (PEU) 请于三周内将表填好并返回。

词典解答

be to + v 这个结构能够表示许多意思。其中有一个意思是一般的语法书所没有谈及的,那就是:be to 还可用于表示“可能”。例如:

  1. Such books are to be found in the library. 这样的书在图书馆里就能找到。

  2. Not a sound was to be heard. (Mis) 一点儿声音也听不到。

  3. Not a soul was to be seen. (Mansfield) 看不到一个人影。

来源:英语常见问题解答大词典-2.md · 第 34083435 行 · 原文哈希 93ce501718