Could anyone please explain to me the use of "to be to" in English grammar?

Question

Ayup everyone!!

English is my second language, so it sometimes happens that I'm confused or unsure about a grammar point.
Would you please be so kind to clear it up about "to be to"?
(Example: You are to come tomorrow!)
Is it only used in future cases? What's the difference with "will", "be going to" and other future markers suchlike?
I bet there's something to do with whether it's on schedule or summat as such!! ;)

Thanks a lot, mates! :)

Cheers.

@Crispy Bacon&Eggs -- I understood the phrase "to the letter" => amusingly we've got exactly the same one in French: "à la lettre". Thanks for your answer, though I can't see the link with my question! ;)

Answer 1

"You are to come tomorrow" is a rather stilted way of giving directions to come tomorrow. It is akin to the imperative, "Come tomorrow," perhaps softening the expression to make it less commanding.

"You are going to come tomorrow" or "You will come tomorrow" expresses a prediction of tomorrow's behavior rather than a command.

If this or any other answer to your question helps you resolve this issue, please select a "best answer." This motivates people to help you and rewards their research in your behalf.

Cheers,
Bruce

Answer 2

'You are to come tomorrow' does imply a command. It's more or less the same as saying "You are instructed to come tomorrow". It's not very common these days.

'You will come' and 'You are going to come' are more or less equivalent. It's hard to explain the differences, as it's mostly a question of idiom and emphasis rather than grammatical rules. There are some guidelines that apply (I'm using I'll, he'll etc rather than I will, he will, as it's the more common form in conversation):

'I'll do that' often means 'I'm deciding right now to do that'. 'I'm going to do that' is more common when the decision to do it was made some time ago.

'I'm sure he'll do that' - we tend to use 'will' when we're saying what we think or expect.

'If you do that I'll do this' - we use will to refer to the future in conditional clauses.

Hope that helps!

Answer 3

I used to be "to the letter" when I wrote a letter but I am now far more relaxed with my grammar!
The phrase "to the letter" means exactly, in every detail.

There is a complimentary phrase "to the letter of the law" which is used for a literal exclamation of the law.

I look forward to other usages!

Answer 4

"you are to come tomorrow" is a demand, as if being told what you are going to be doing. "will you be going tomorrow" however is a question, asking if you will be going somewhere.

the use of the word "to" makes no impact upon the sentence, it is simply a joining word, you could just as easily write "you are coming tomorrow" and it would mean the same thing. It is the words "you are" which affect the meaning of the sentence

Answer 5

yes ...maybe ..".To " be ...... "To" what you may be ...could be, may be ,want to be ..etc ...