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C1 ADVANCED · GRAMMAR · PART 4

Advanced future forms

Be about to, be bound to, be on the verge of, be due to, be set to – and the future in the past.

Finn the puffin with glasses and a book, your grammar teacher
Finn says

At C1, 'will' and 'going to' aren't enough. These expressions add meaning: how soon, how certain, how official. Part 4 tests them regularly.

Near and certain

be about to
very soon
The show is about to begin.
be on the verge / point of + -ing
extremely close to
The company is on the verge of collapsing.
be bound / sure to
certain
She's bound to find out.
be (un)likely to
probable / improbable
He is unlikely to win.

Plans and the future in the past

be due to
scheduled
The train is due to arrive at noon.
be set to
expected (often in news)
Prices are set to rise.
be to
formal arrangements, instructions
The president is to visit Madrid.
was going to / was about to
plans in the past (often not realised)
I was about to leave when she called.

How it comes up in Part 4

In Part 4 you complete the second sentence with the key word, so that it means the same as the first one (3–6 words).

The company will almost certainly close.
VERGE
The company is on the verge of closing .

Be on the verge of + -ing = extremely close to.

I'm sure she'll forget.
BOUND
She is bound to forget .

Be bound to = certain.

The plane should land at six.
DUE
The plane is due to land at six.

Be due to = scheduled.

Common mistakes

  • ✗ The film is about to starting.✓ The film is about to start.Be about to + infinitive.
  • ✗ He is on the verge to resign.✓ He is on the verge of resigning.On the verge of + -ing.
  • ✗ I was going to call you but I have forgotten.✓ I was going to call you but I forgot.A past plan → past tense for what happened.
Finn the puffin, smiling kindly
Finn's exam tip

Match the meaning: 'very soon' → about to; 'almost happening' → on the verge of; 'certain' → bound to; 'scheduled' → due to; 'probably won't' → unlikely to.

Quick check

Complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first. Use the key word and write 3–6 words.

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