you aren't to smoke

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Verona_82

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Hello,

Is it possible to use "be+not" contractions when giving orders?

She is not to be back late - She isn't to be back late
You are not to smoke here - You aren't to smoke here?

Thank you.
 

5jj

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charliedeut

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Possible, I would say yes.

However, I have always seen "She's not to be late" or "You're not to smoke here", mainly because this way, the negative (and therefore the prohibition) is stressed.
 

Verona_82

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Possible, I would say yes.

However, I have always seen "She's not to be late" or "You're not to smoke here", mainly because this way, the negative (and therefore the prohibition) is stressed.


So have I.
 

SoothingDave

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"You're not to smoke" sounds odd to my ear. "You're not allowed to smoke" or "...supposed to smoke" or "...permitted to smoke" would be more natural to me.
 
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