I've seen that the 'Be + to verb' is really formal. Although, is there a less formal way to say the same thing the 'Be + to verb' does?
Some examples:
You are to study without watching tv.
If I were to be the doctor, I would be unhappy;
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Do you want to say "any doctor"? If so, it should be "a doctor" - "If I were a doctor, I would be unhappy"– AIQCommented Nov 3, 2019 at 0:41
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Oh, no. It's more like "If I had to substitute and be the doctor, I would be unhappy"– Jason O'NeilCommented Nov 3, 2019 at 17:27
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2 Answers
The first one can be rewritten in the imperative:
Study and don’t watch tv.
Stronger imperative:
Study and don’t you dare watch tv!
For the second one you can use was and drop to be:
If I was the doctor, I’d be unhappy.
Not using the subjunctive (were) makes it more informal.
As you say, the construction is formal.
There are numerous alternatives:
You should / must / need to / ought to study....
In the second example, just omit to be
If I were the doctor......
