CEFR B2

    Future in the Past

    Use was/were going to, would, and other forms to express future events from a past perspective. Practice describing plans, predictions, and unfulfilled intentions in everyday English narratives and conversations.

    Learning Objectives

    Understand and use future in the past structures to describe actions or events that were seen as future from a past perspective.
    Master the four main forms: was/were going to, would, was/were about to, and past continuous for scheduled events.
    Use future in the past accurately in reported speech, storytelling, and when discussing past plans and predictions.
    Avoid common tense errors and communicate past intentions and predictions with precision and clarity!

    Mastering Future in the Past

    Future in the past is a sophisticated grammatical concept used to describe actions or events that were seen as future from a past perspective. This structure allows you to talk about what people thought would happen, what they planned to do, or what was scheduled—all from a point in the past.

    When Do We Use Future in the Past?

    We use this structure in reported speech, storytelling, narratives, or when reflecting on past plans, predictions, and intentions that existed at some earlier time.

    ✓ She said she was going to visit Paris. (planned action from past perspective)

    ✓ I thought it would rain later. (prediction made in the past)

    ✓ He was about to leave when the phone rang. (imminent action interrupted)

    Structure and Forms

    1. Was/Were Going To + Base Verb

    Used to express plans, intentions, or arrangements that existed in the past. Often indicates the plan may or may not have been carried out.

    • • 'They were going to buy a new car, but they changed their minds.' (unfulfilled plan)
    • • 'I was going to call you yesterday, but I got busy.' (intention that didn't happen)
    • • 'She was going to study medicine before she discovered her passion for art.' (changed plan)

    2. Would + Base Verb

    Used to describe future actions from a past perspective, especially in reported speech, predictions, or promises made in the past.

    • • 'He knew he would regret his decision.' (past prediction)
    • • 'She said she would call me tomorrow.' (reported promise)
    • • 'We thought it would be easy, but it was quite difficult.' (past expectation)

    3. Was/Were About To + Base Verb

    Indicates that something was on the verge of happening at a particular moment in the past. Often used for interrupted actions.

    • • 'I was about to leave when the phone rang.' (interrupted action)
    • • 'The concert was about to start when the power went out.' (imminent event)
    • • 'They were about to sign the contract when new information emerged.' (last-minute change)

    4. Past Continuous for Scheduled Events

    Used for events that were scheduled or arranged to happen in the future from a past standpoint. Common with fixed timetables and arrangements.

    • • 'The flight was departing at 6 PM, so we arrived early.' (scheduled departure)
    • • 'My interview was starting in ten minutes.' (fixed appointment)
    • • 'The store was opening at 9 AM the next day.' (regular schedule)

    Common Mistakes to Avoid

    ❌ Wrong: Using present future forms in reported speech - 'She said she is going to visit us.'

    ✓ Correct: 'She said she was going to visit us.' (shift to past perspective)

    ❌ Wrong: Mixing tenses incorrectly - 'I knew she will come.' / 'He thought he can do it.'

    ✓ Correct: 'I knew she would come.' / 'He thought he could do it.' (consistent past forms)

    ❌ Wrong: Using wrong form for imminent actions - 'I would leave when she called.'

    ✓ Correct: 'I was about to leave when she called.' (use 'about to' for imminent actions)

    ❌ Wrong: Confusing time perspectives - 'Yesterday, I think I will go tomorrow.'

    ✓ Correct: 'Yesterday, I thought I would go today.' (consistent past perspective)

    Learning Tips

    • Think of shifting your perspective backwards in time - from that past moment, something was still in the future
    • Practice by converting present future sentences into reported speech: "I will call you" → "He said he would call me"
    • Use "was/were going to" for past plans and intentions, especially when they didn't happen
    • Use "would" for past predictions, promises, and future events in narratives
    • Use "was/were about to" for actions that were imminent or on the point of happening
    • Read English novels and notice how authors use future in the past for storytelling and building suspense
    • Pay attention to time markers that indicate the past perspective: "yesterday I thought...", "last week she said...", "back then we believed..."

    Speaking Practice:

    To practice your pronunciation, listen to the native speaker audio first. Then 'Record' yourself repeating what you heard, then use the 'Playback' button to compare your pronunciation with the native speaker. If you want to record yourself again, simply click 'Delete'!

    ✓ He told me he was going to apply for the job. (planned action from past perspective)

    ✓ We thought the meeting would finish earlier. (past prediction)

    ✓ The train was about to depart when we arrived at the station. (imminent action)

    ✓ She said she would help me with the project. (reported future intention)

    ✓ They were going to move to London, but the plan fell through. (unfulfilled plan)

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