Future in the Past — Was Going To, Would, Was To
"I was going to call you, but my phone died." We have all used this classic excuse! When we talk about plans, intentions, or expectations that we had in the past—even if they didn't happen—we use a unique grammatical concept known as the Future in the Past.
Future in the Past is used to express an idea that, at some point in the past, was considered a future event. It allows you to look forward from a past perspective.
- Instead of using am/is/are going to, we use was/were going to.
- Instead of using will, we use would.
1. WAS / WERE GOING TO
This is the most common form, especially in conversational English. It expresses an intention or a plan made in the past. Very often, it implies that the plan did not actually happen.
✅ She was going to join IIT Bombay, but she got a scholarship abroad instead.
✅ We were going to leave early, but it started raining heavily.
2. WOULD
We use would as the past form of will. This is used in two main contexts: reported speech and narrative storytelling.
A. Reported Speech
When you report someone's past promise or prediction that used "will", it shifts to "would".
✅ Original: "I will help you." -> He promised he would help me.
B. Narrative Storytelling
In stories, "would" is used to describe an event that was in the future relative to the main narrative past.
✅ Little did she know that her decision would change everything.
3. WAS / WERE TO
This structure (the past of am/is/are to) is highly formal. It is used to talk about arranged schedules, official plans, or events that were destined to happen. It often carries a sense of obligation or fate.
✅ The Prime Minister was to address the nation at 8 PM, but the broadcast was delayed.
✅ They were to meet at Connaught Place, but the metro breakdown disrupted everything.
4. WAS / WERE ABOUT TO
Use this when an action was on the very verge of happening, often interrupted by another event.
✅ The train was about to leave when she arrived at the platform.
✅ I was just about to email you when you called.
Formal equivalent: was/were on the point of + -ing (e.g., She was on the point of resigning.)
| Structure | Best Used For | Example |
|---|---|---|
| was/were going to | Intentions/plans (often unfulfilled) | I was going to cook dinner. |
| would | Reported speech, narratives | He said he would call. |
| was/were to | Formal arrangements, fate | The meeting was to begin at 10. |
| was/were about to | Imminent actions, on the verge | We were about to sleep. |
5. Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not confuse the "future in the past" would with the "conditional" would.
✅ I knew he would win. (Future in the past: Past knowledge of a future event)
✅ I would travel if I had money. (Conditional: Imaginary situation)
Avoid using simple past when a clear intention or thwarted plan is meant.
❌ I intended to go, but I didn't. (Grammatically okay, but stiff)
✅ I was going to go, but I couldn't. (Natural and precise)
✏️ Quick Practice — Looking Forward from the Past
- Choose the best option: I _____ (was going to / would) visit the Taj Mahal, but I fell ill.
- Convert to reported speech: "The concert will start late," she said. -> She said the concert _____ start late.
- Complete the sentence: The bomb _____ (was about to / was to) explode when the hero cut the wire.
Answers: 1. was going to (unfulfilled intention) | 2. would | 3. was about to (imminent action)
Summary
- Use was/were going to for past plans and intentions.
- Use would in reported speech and storytelling narratives.
- Use was/were to for formal schedules or destiny.
- Use was/were about to for actions that were on the verge of happening.