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B2 Pre-advanced
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B2Future

Future in the past

Describe events that were still future from an earlier past viewpoint with would, was/were going to, was/were about to and scheduled future-in-the-past forms.

Overview

What this grammar does

Describe events that were still future from an earlier past viewpoint with would, was/were going to, was/were about to and scheduled future-in-the-past forms.

Form and rules

How it works

1

Would + base verb often reports a future event viewed from a past point: I knew she would call.

2

Was/were going to expresses a past intention or prediction about a later event; the event may or may not have happened.

3

Was/were about to expresses something imminent at the past reference point.

4

Was/were due to or was/were to can describe scheduled or formal future-in-the-past arrangements.

5

Choose the structure according to the original future meaning, then shift the viewpoint into the past.

A closer look

Meaning and use

Was/were due to or was/were to can describe scheduled or formal future-in-the-past arrangements.

Choose the structure according to the original future meaning, then shift the viewpoint into the past.

Examples

See the pattern in complete sentences

I knew the decision would be unpopular.

We were going to move, but the sale fell through.

I was about to leave when she called.

The flight was due to depart at six.

The minister was to visit the factory the following day.

Common mistakes

What to avoid

At the time, I thought the problem will disappear on its own.
At the time, I thought the problem would disappear on its own.

Would is the past-viewpoint counterpart of future will.

We would buy buy a new car, but then we decided to save the money.
We were going to buy a new car, but then we decided to save the money.

Was/were going to describes a past intention that may not have been carried out.

Ready to practise?

The test combines multiple choice, gap completion, error correction, and sentence building so students have to recognise and produce the grammar, not simply reread the rule.

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