1) be +现在分词,构成进行时态。例如:
They are having a meeting. 他们正在开会。
English is becoming more and more important. 英语现在越来越重要。
2) be + 过去分词,构成被动语态。例如:
The window was broken by Tom…… 窗户是汤姆打碎的。
English is taught throughout the world. 世界各地都教英语。
3) be + 动词不定式,可表示下列内容:
a. 表示最近、未来的计划或安排。例如:
He is to go to New York next week…… 他下周要去纽约。
We are to teach the freshmen. 我们要教新生。
说明: 这种用法也可以说成是一种将来时态表达法。
b. 表示命令。例如:
You are to explain this. 对此你要做出解释。
He is to come to the office this afternoon. 要他今天下午来办公室。
c. 征求意见。例如:
How am I to answer him? 我该怎样答复他?
Who is to go there? 谁该去那儿呢?
d. 表示相约、商定。例如:
We are to meet at the school gate at seven tomorrow morning. 我们明天早晨7点在校门口集合。