In Chapter 1 we define our basic terms and explain those concepts and distinctions that underlie our description of the function of tense in English discourse. We provide definitions of basic linguistic terms such as 'verb phrase' or 'situation' as we will use them, and give a brief overview of the three main areas of grammaticalizcd verbal meaning which interact with one another | I. Temporal subordination in a past time-sphere domain 455 Although speaker B is clearly being uncooperative in his first response he cannot actually be said to contradict himself with his second response. Parallel to the use of the present tense of be to for official arrangements regarding the future see the past tense of be to can be used to refer to a past official arrangement concerning the actualization of a posterior situation There were a lot of plainclothes policemen in the hotel where the conference was to take place. In the afternoon the Princess left for New Zealand where she was to join her husband. Both would and was to can be used to represent a situation that is posterior to a past orientation time as a past fact rather than as something that was expected at the past binding orientation time . That is was to and would can express that a situation which did not actualize before or at the past binding orientation time did actualize later but still in the past . In that year they moved to Heathfield where they were to I would spend the most difficult years of their lives. Ten years later Percy would I was to be the most popular actor in London. Soon after that war ended another one would I was to begin. He entered Parliament at the age of 31. Five years later he would I was to be the youngest Prime Minister the country had ever had. Neither form is common in this function in spoken English. Both are formal and typical of narrative The following are authentic examples J. P. as he was fondly referred to by those who knew him well first came to this University as an instructor in pomology. Later he was to be professor of plant physiology and plant physiologist in the Agriculture Experiment Station. www Lorena Rosalee Encinas was born on September 4 1922 in Nogales Arizona. . Nearly two years later she would have a little brother named Louis Jesus to whom she would be completely devoted. She would protect him all her life even at .
