GV

Future in the Past

Talking about plans/predictions from a past perspective: would, was going to

intermediate

When to Use Future in the Past

  • •Past plans: I was going to call you, but I forgot.
  • •Past predictions: I knew it would rain.
  • •Reported speech: She said she would come.
  • •Unfulfilled intentions: We were going to travel, but plans changed.
  • •Narrative: Little did he know it would change his life.

How to Form Future in the Past

Affirmative (+)

was/were going to + base verb | would + base verb

Negative (-)

wasn't/weren't going to + base verb | wouldn't + base verb

Question (?)

Were you going to call? | Would it work?

💡 'Was going to' emphasizes intention/plan. 'Would' is more neutral for future from past viewpoint.

Examples of Future in the Past

✓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.

Common Mistakes with Future in the Past

💡 Practice Tips for Future in the Past

  • • Was/Were going to = past intention or plan
  • • Would = future seen from past (neutral)
  • • Was/Were about to = immediate future in past
  • • Common in reported speech: will → would
  • • Often shows unfulfilled plans: I was going to... but...
Quick Quiz
  1. 1.I thought it   be easy.
  2. 2.I   call you, but my phone died.
  3. Question 3: She said she blank (come) the next day.
    3.She said she (come) the next day.
  4. Question 4: We blank (go) on holiday, but plans changed.
    4.We (go) on holiday, but plans changed.
  5. Question 5: They were blank (leave) when the phone rang.
    5.They were (leave) when the phone rang.
  6. Question 6: He knew the project blank (take) months to finish.
    6.He knew the project (take) months to finish.
  7. Question 7: I blank (not / call) you because I forgot.
    7.I (not / call) you because I forgot.
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