User:DCDuring/be observations

Verbs of intermediate function
(ie, between full verbs and modal auxiliaries)

modal idioms

 * be to (be to) (See be.)

semi-auxiliaries

 * be about to (?)
 * be able to (comparable, superlative, degree adverbs, manner adverbs?)
 * be apt to
 * be bound to (?)
 * be due to
 * be going to (?)
 * be likely to
 * be meant to
 * be obliged to (comparable, superlative, degree adverbs, manner adverbs)
 * be supposed to (?)
 * be willing to (comparable, superlative, degree adverbs, manner adverbs)
 * etc.

Wiktionary searches

 * Search for Wiktionary entries of the form be "X" to

Expressions that include be and should''' (7)

 * be supposed to
 * it's better to be judged by twelve than to be carried by six
 * you have to be good to be lucky
 * eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die
 * would you be so kind as to
 * you've got to be in it to win it
 * be going to

Expressions that include be, but shouldn't (11)

 * No redirects or translation hubs should be included
 * Usually can be used with other copulatives.


 * be used to + N
 * be able to + V
 * be on to + N
 * be up to + N
 * not be able to hit the broad side of a barn Pred
 * be gathered to one's fathers Pred
 * be used to + N
 * be cruel to be kind Pred
 * be a hundred years too early Pred
 * be able to count on one's fingers Pred
 * be no stranger to + N

Redirects that include be (9)

 * be on top of + N
 * be in touch Pred
 * be the way to go Pred
 * be partial to + N
 * be bound to + V
 * be glad to see the back of + N
 * never put off till tomorrow what can be done today Prov
 * be at the top of one's game Pred
 * be surplus to requirements Pred

Redirects with not (5)

 * not be able to wait Pred
 * be unable to believe one's eyes Pred
 * not to be able to say boo to a goose Pred
 * not be able to get a word in edgeways Pred
 * be unable to carry a tune in a bucket Pred

Other(4)

 * be not to know (1)
 * FL terms (3)

Phrasebook items

 * be called
 * be careful
 * it can't be helped
 * be right back
 * be thankful for small mercies

From American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs
mostly potential phrasebook type entries, D for discourse role
 * be careful D {careful}
 * be for (be for doing something, be for something) {for}
 * be game {game}
 * be given precedence over (be given precedence over something, be given precedence over soneone) {precedence over, precedence}
 * be good D {good}
 * be happy to (happy}
 * be in aid of {in aid of}
 * be just before you're generous {just, generous}
 * be my guest {guest}
 * be one's brother's keeper, be someone's brother's keeper {brother's keeper}
 * be one's own man, be one's own master
 * be quiet
 * be so bold as to, make so bold as to D {so bold}
 * be that as it may D
 * be the last person to {last person}
 * be there or be square
 * be too, be so D {too, so}