The Future in the Past

• When we talk about past intentions, arrangements, or expectations that were viewed from a point in the past, we use special structures known as the future in the past.
• Structure
• Primary Use
• Example in Context
• was / were going to
• Intentions or predictions based on past evidence
• Brian was going to fly to Boston, but his meeting was cancelled.
• was / were about to
• Actions that were happening at the very next moment
• Sarah was about to call off the trip when the flight was delayed.
• would
• Future events seen from a past perspective (often in narratives)
• Mark knew that he would rearrange the schedule later.
• was / were supposed to
• Scheduled events or obligations that may or may not have happened
• Emily was supposed to arrive in Chicago by noon.
• Remember
• Use 'was going to' for personal intentions that were interrupted or changed.
• Use 'was about to' for an action that was going to happen immediately.
• Use 'was supposed to' for official plans, duties, or expectations.
• Use 'would' in past-tense narratives for future events.
• Examples
• David was going to book a hotel in Seattle.
• Jessica was about to back out of the project.
• They were supposed to meet in New York on Monday.
• Kevin knew he would face problems in Denver.
• Common mistakes
• She was going to visited Boston yesterday.
• She was going to visit Boston yesterday.
• We were supposed finish the report.
• We were supposed to finish the report.

Complete the sentences

• Greg (go) ____ travel to Chicago, but the train was cancelled.
• Rachel (about) ____ sign the contract when her boss called.
• The train (suppose) ____ depart at nine from London.
• Ethan knew he (will) ____ regret missing the conference in Seattle.
• Amanda (to) ____ speak at the gala in Boston, but she fell ill.
• We (go) ____ host the seminar in Denver last week.

Sources: photo by Vitaly Gariev on Pexels