to be/will be

[Allen165]

"If the construction work is not to be executed, the Parties will have no further obligations toward each other."

"If the construction work will not be executed, the Parties will have no further obligations toward each other."

Is there a difference in meaning here between "to be" and "will be"? The latter seems stronger to me; it suggests the work will definitely not be executed.

Thanks!

[birdeen's call]

Why not just

If the construction work is not executed...

?

[Allen165]

I'll give you a better example.

"If the construction work defined in this contract is to be executed, the Parties envisage to continue working together."

"Is executed" wouldn't work here.

[bhaisahab]

I'll give you a better example.

"If the construction work defined in this contract is to be executed, the Parties envisage to continue working together."

"Is executed" wouldn't work here.

Yes it would, IMO. Also, it would be better with "...the parties envisage continuing to work together".

[Allen165]

Yes it would, IMO. Also, it would be better with "...the parties envisage continuing to work together".

Ok, but then the meaning would be different. In any case, my question was whether there was a difference in meaning between "to be" and "will be," not whether there was a better way of writing the sentence.

[5jj]

In any case, my question was whether there was a difference in meaning between "to be" and "will be," not whether there was a better way of writing the sentence.

The difference is between is to be and will be.

"If the construction work is not to be executed, the Parties will have no further obligations toward each other."
"If the construction work will not be executed, the Parties will have no further obligations toward each other."

Yes there is.

I know you are not after alternatives, but, apart from anything else, the second one is fairly unnatural English. If we are talking about a simple future possibility, the more normal expression would be , as BC suggested, if the construction work is not executed. If volition is involved, it would be if either or both of the parties will not execute the construction work (construction work cannot express volition); if we are using a rather dated legalistic English for a simple future, then it might be if the construction work shall not be executed.

None of these three (or your second sentence) means exactly the same as your first sentence.