be to + infinitive Hello everyone! I have 2questions about using "be to+infinitive" - Considering this dialogue: A) "My Lord, I have been harbouring a sorcerer. For that, I offer the most sincere apology" B) "You were not to know" I read "be + to-infinitive" is used to express official arrangements, official orders, things that should be done, a possible aim when saying what should be done to reach it, prohibition, destiny. In the dialogue above how can the sentence "you were not to know" be interpreted? It sounds me like "you couldn't know it"... - "If it were to withdraw its backing, the two remaining coalition parties would have a majority of three seats" (it refers to a greek party pulling out of the coalition government). "be to+infninitve" is used in if-clauses to say that something must happens first (main clause) before something else can happen (if clause), isn't it? But in this case the if clause is something happens before what the main clause says. Can you clarify me? Thanks!