(not standard ) a form of the subjunctive mood used in place of were, esp in conditional sentences ⇒ if the film was to be with you, would you be able to process it?
verb
to have presence in the realm of perceived reality; exist; live ⇒ I think, therefore I am , not all that is can be understood
(used in the perfect or past perfect tenses only) to pay a visit; go ⇒ have you been to Spain?
to take place; occur ⇒ my birthday was last Thursday
(copula) used as a linking verb between the subject of a sentence and its noun or adjective complement or complementing phrase. In this case be expresses the relationship of either essential or incidental equivalence or identity ( John is a man; John is a musician) or specifies an essential or incidental attribute ( honey is sweet; Susan is angry). It is also used with an adverbial complement to indicate a relationship of location in space or time ( Bill is at the office; the dance is on Saturday)
(takes a present participle) forms the progressive present tense ⇒ the man is running
(takes a past participle) forms the passive voice of all transitive verbs and (archaically) certain intransitive ones ⇒ a good film is being shown on television tonight , I am done
(takes an infinitive) expresses intention, expectation, supposition, or obligation ⇒ the president is to arrive at 9.30 , you are not to leave before I say so
(takes a past participle) forms the perfect or past perfect tense of certain intransitive verbs of motion, such as go or come ⇒ the last train is gone