be likely to + infinitive (es probable que…)
We use be likely to + infinitive or It + be likely that + clause to say that something will probably happen
👉 The government is likely to pass new regulations very soon → Seguramente apruebe nuevas normas…
👉 It’s likely that the company will have to pay for the damages → Probablemente la empresa tendrá que pagar por los daños
We use be unlikely + infinitive or It + be unlikely that + clause to say that something will probably not happen
👉 He is unlikely to win this match → No es probable que gane
👉 It’s unlikely that the weather will change over the next days → No es probable que cambie el tiempo en los próximos días
be bound to + infinitive (seguro que…)
We use be bound to + infinitive to say that something is certain or very likely to happen
👉 They are bound to like him. He is such a sweet guy → Seguro que…
👉 His new film is bound to win the heart of of every romantic out there → Seguro que…
be about to + infinitive (estar a punto de…)
We often use be about to + infinitive to say that something will happen in a very near future
👉 Some apps are about to disappear from the market → Están a punto de desaparecer…
👉 Scientists say they are about to find a vaccine → …están a punto de encontrar una vacuna
be on the brink/verge/point of + gerund (estar a punto de…)
We can also use be on the brink of, be on the verge of or be on the point of to say that something will happen very soon
👉 Our country’s economy is on the brink of collapse → Está a punto del colapso
👉 The two historical enemies are on the verge of reaching an agreement → …están a punto de llegar a un acuerdo
be due to + infinitive (Se espera que…)
We use be due to + infinitive to talk about things that are planned or expected to happen
👉 Greece is due to repay around £6 billion to its creditors next semester → Se espera que pague…
👉 The secretary is due to arrive in Montreal tomorrow morning → Se espera que llegue…
be to + infinitive
We can use be to + infinitive in different situations
•Official arrangements – To talk about events that are planned or expected to happen. The meaning is usually something like ‘it is expected’
👉 Prince William is to visit Paris for the first time since his mother died → …va a visitar París…
👉 Nine care homes for the elderly are to close by the end of March → …van a cerrar…
•Formal instructions and orders – To talk about official instructions and orders. When used in the negative form, it expresses prohibition
👉 All employees are to attend a health and safety orientation at the end of the week → …tienen que asistir a…
👉 You are not to leave this room until I say so → No tiene que abandonar…