5 ways to talk about the future

1. to be to + infinitive           generally used in official communiqués and newspaper reports, otherwise the future tense 'will'
The Prime Minister is to visit the areas hit by the earthquake.                            ' . . will visit the areas . .'
The countess Marina Ripa di Meana is to honour with private funeral rites.     '. . is to be honoured / will be honoured . .'
All the elementary teachers are to go on strike to protest against the last decree.      ' . . will go on strike . .'
Hundreds of people is [are to]/will stay at home because of flu.
The Pope is to/will arrive in Perù on 18th January.

2. Be due to + infinitive       generally refers to official schedules, otherwise use the future tense 'will'
My plane is due to arrive at 7:40.
I'm due to take the train tomorrow morning.
My brother is due to leave this evening.      '. . will leave . .'
Tomorrow the school is due to start at 10 am instead of 8 pm.
The film is due to start at 8 pm.

3. be sure/bound to + infinitive           'sure to'  more often used, I suspect, in US ;  in UK 'bound to' / 'certain to'
My grandma is [sure]/certain/bound to embroider my new tablecloth. She loves embellishing  the linen.
Italo is bound to surf the Net this morning.
Tomorrow Maddalena is [sure]/bound to buy a new bag. There are the sales.
Next mounth my dad is bound to go to San Gregorio Armeno. He loves nativity scenes.
Simona is [sure]/bound to watch the next series on Netflix. She is a Netflix-addicted. / She is addicted to Netflix

4. on the verge of/ on the brink of / about to
The Mum is [on the verge of getting]/about to get angry.
My stomach is on the brink of exploding.
That bottle is on the verge of falling down and breaking.
This river is on the brink of overflowing.
The avalanche is on the verge of falling down.

5. want/hope/aim/purpose/intend/plan
I want to marry you by within/in 5 years.
You hope to find a job next summer.
My cousin aims to buy a new house near her mum.
My mum plans to go on a diet before this summer (starts).
I intend to improve my English.