Talking about a future that was still ahead then

Examples

1. We were going to move in June, but the sale fell through.

2. She said she would ring as soon as she knew.

3. I was about to hang up when somebody finally answered.

4. The survey was to have been done in March.

Common mistakes

• ✗Wrong: We will move in June, but the sale fell through.

  ✓Right: We were going to move in June, but the sale fell through.

  A plan seen from inside the past takes was going to.

• ✗Wrong: She said she will ring.

  ✓Right: She said she would ring.

  will steps back to would under a past reporting verb.

• ✗Wrong: I was about hang up when he answered.

  ✓Right: I was about to hang up when he answered.

  be about to keeps the to.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

1. 1Choose the correct sentence.

   1. AThey were going to appeal but they ran out of time.
   2. BThey will appeal but they ran out of time.
   3. CThey would going to appeal but ran out of time.
   4. DThey are going to appeal but they ran out of time.
   Show answer

   Answer: A They were going to appeal but they ran out of time.

   A past plan that did not happen.

2. 2Choose the correct sentence.

   1. AHe knew the decision would to take months.
   2. BHe knew the decision is going to take months.
   3. CHe knew the decision would take months.
   4. DHe knew the decision will take months.
   Show answer

   Answer: C He knew the decision would take months.

   Neutral future in the past.

3. 3Choose the correct sentence.

   1. AThe train was about to leave when we arrived.
   2. BThe train about to leave when we arrived.
   3. CThe train was about leave when we arrived.
   4. DThe train was about leaving when we arrived.
   Show answer

   Answer: A The train was about to leave when we arrived.

   be about to plus infinitive.

4. 4Fill in the gap.

   We _____ to tell you at the meeting, but it was cancelled.

   1. Awill go
   2. Bwould going
   3. Care going
   4. Dwere going
   Show answer

   Answer: D We were going to tell you at the meeting, but it was cancelled.

   A past intention.

5. 5Fill in the gap.

   Nobody knew how long the work _____ take.

   1. Awill
   2. Bwas going
   3. Cis going to
   4. Dwould
   Show answer

   Answer: D Nobody knew how long the work would take.

   would for the future in the past.

6. 6Fill in the gap.

   The keys _____ have been left with the neighbour.

   1. Awere about to
   2. Bwere to
   3. Cwould to
   4. Dare to
   Show answer

   Answer: B The keys were to have been left with the neighbour.

   were to have been marks a failed arrangement.

7. 7Fill in the gap.

   She _____ just about to sign when her solicitor rang.

   1. Ais
   2. Bwas
   3. Cwere
   4. Dhas been
   Show answer

   Answer: B She was just about to sign when her solicitor rang.

   A singular subject takes was.

8. 8Fill in the gap.

   He promised he _____ look into it that afternoon.

   1. Awill
   2. Bwould
   3. Cis going to
   4. Dshall
   Show answer

   Answer: B He promised he would look into it that afternoon.

   promised is past, so would.

9. 9This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

   Which sentence is wrong?

   1. AWe were going to move in June.
   2. BWe were going to moving in June.
   3. CWe were moving in June.
   4. DWe had been going to move in June.
   Show answer

   Answer: B We were going to moving in June.

   going to takes the bare infinitive.

10. 10This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is wrong?

    1. AShe said she was going to be late.
    2. BShe told me she would be late.
    3. CShe tells me she will be late.
    4. DShe told me she will be late.
    Show answer

    Answer: D She told me she will be late.

    A past reporting verb pulls will back.