将来时#未来表达#be about to#be due to#英语语法#时态进阶#实用英语约 2 分钟

表达近期与计划性未来的其他方式:be about to, be due to 等

摘要

除了 will 和 be going to,英语中还有多种方式表达未来,特别是强调即将发生、按计划或安排发生的事件。本文重点讲解 be about to, be due to, be to 和 be on the point of 的用法,帮助学习者更精准地描述近期未来和既定安排。

核心规则

  1. be about to + 动词原形:表示“即将、马上”要做某事,强调动作在很短时间内发生,通常不接具体时间状语。
  • 例:The meeting is about to start.(会议马上就要开始了。)
  1. be due to + 动词原形:表示“预定、按计划”发生,常用于正式安排、时间表或预期事件,常接时间状语。
  • 例:The train is due to arrive at 3 PM.(火车定于下午3点到达。)
  1. be to + 动词原形:表示“计划、应该、必须”做某事,带有正式安排、命令或义务的含义。
  • 例:You are to submit the report by Friday.(你必须周五前提交报告。)
  1. be on the point of + 动名词:表示“正要做某事”,强调动作即将开始的瞬间。
  • 例:She was on the point of leaving when the phone rang.(她正要离开时电话响了。)

常见误区

  1. 混淆 be about to 与 be going to:be about to 强调“即刻发生”,通常不接将来时间(如 tomorrow);be going to 可接具体时间,表示计划或预测。
  • 错误:I am about to travel next week.(应改为:I am going to travel next week.)
  1. 误用 be due to 表示原因:be due to 表示“由于”时是介词短语,后通常接名词、名词短语或动名词;表示未来安排时是半助动词结构,后接动词原形。
  • 错误:The delay is due to arrive late.(应改为:The delay is due to bad weather.)

例句与解析

  1. The concert is about to begin; please take your seats.(音乐会即将开始,请就座。)
  • 解析:使用 be about to 强调开始时刻迫近。
  1. The flight is due to depart at 9:00 AM.(航班预定在上午9点起飞。)
  • 解析:使用 be due to 表示按时间表安排的未来事件。
  1. We are to meet the manager at 2 PM.(我们定于下午2点见经理。)
  • 解析:使用 be to 表达正式安排或指令。

高频词与短语

  • be about to:即将,马上
  • be due to:预定,预计
  • be to:计划,应该
  • be on the point of:正要做…
  • imminent:迫近的
  • scheduled:安排好的
  • arrangement:安排
  • shortly:不久,马上

自测练习

  1. 选择正确选项:The president ______ give a speech in an hour.
  2. A. is about to B. is due to C. is to

  • 答案:B(强调预定安排)
  1. 改错:He is about to finish the project tomorrow.
  • 答案:去掉 tomorrow,或改为 He is going to finish the project tomorrow.
  1. 翻译:飞机马上就要起飞了,请系好安全带。
  • 答案:The plane is about to take off; please fasten your seatbelt.