1. What it was to become was uncertain until between 4.5 and 3.8 billion years ago when the dust settled into a solid globe. (P25).
... be to do 在此句中表示不可避免將要做的事或命中注定的事。如:
This experience was to change his life.
This discovery was to have a major effect on the treatment of heart disease.
【拓展】 a. be to do 還可以表示命令、義務(wù)、職責(zé)等,譯為“應(yīng)該,必須”,多用于長(zhǎng)輩對(duì)晚輩,上級(jí)對(duì)下級(jí)等。如:
You are to eat all your supper before you watch TV.
b. be to do 還可以表示按計(jì)劃約定要做的事。常用于正式文件中。如:
They were to get married in May.
【練習(xí)】 完成句子:
1) As a child, he never knew __________________ (他會(huì)成為) a famous singer.
2) The Prime Minister __________________ (將訪問(wèn)) Budapest.
3) You __________________ (不可以吸煙) in this room.