Talking about plans/predictions from a past perspective: would, was going to
was/were going to + base verb | would + base verb
wasn't/weren't going to + base verb | wouldn't + base verb
Were you going to call? | Would it work?
💡 'Was going to' emphasizes intention/plan. 'Would' is more neutral for future from past viewpoint.
✓I was going to tell you, but I forgot.
✗I will going to tell you, but I forgot.
Use 'was going to' for past intentions, not 'will going to'.
✓She knew the project would take months.
✗She knew the project will take months.
Past perspective requires 'would', not 'will'.
✓They were about to leave when the phone rang.
✗They are about to leave when the phone rang.
'Were about to' for imminent past future.