you aren't to smoke

[Verona_82]

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]

It is.

 

[charliedeut]

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]

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]

"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.