Lesson focus
Was going to, would, was about to, was to, was due to and other ways of viewing the future from a past reference point
Advanced aim: Shift future reference consistently from a past viewpoint while preserving intention, schedule, expectation and completion relationships.
Past intention
Use was/were going to for an intention or plan viewed from a past point.
- Example: We were going to launch in May, but the supplier withdrew.
- In another context: We were going to launch in May, but the service partner withdrew.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Reported future
Would often represents will shifted back after a past reporting verb.
- Example: She assured us that the revised system would be ready by Friday.
- In another context: She assured us that the revised system would be ready by Tuesday.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Immediate future in the past
Was/were about to describes something that was on the point of happening.
- Example: The train was about to leave when the signal changed.
- In another context: The ferry was about to leave when the signal changed.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Formal scheduled future in the past
Was/were to can describe an official plan or arrangement from a past viewpoint.
- Example: The minister was to address the committee later that afternoon.
- In another context: The department secretary was to address the ethics group later that afternoon.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Expected event
Was/were due to describes an event expected or scheduled from a past point.
- Example: The new regulations were due to take effect in September.
- In another context: The new regulations were due to take effect in July.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Unfulfilled expectation
Was/were supposed to often implies that an expected action did not happen as planned.
- Example: The contractor was supposed to finish the work by the end of July.
- In another context: The maintenance firm was supposed to finish the work by the end of August.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Past prediction
Would can express a prediction made in the past about a later event.
- Example: Few people realised that the discovery would transform the industry.
- In another context: Few people realised that the discovery would transform the market.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Unrealised intention
Was/were going to can imply an intention that was later abandoned or prevented.
- Example: I was going to mention the discrepancy, but the meeting ended early.
- In another context: I was going to mention the accounting difference, but the briefing ended early.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Future perfect in reported speech
Would have + past participle can represent will have shifted into a past reporting frame.
- Example: They predicted that the project would have recovered its costs by 2030.
- In another context: They predicted that the renovation programme would have recovered its costs within the next decade.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Future continuous in reported speech
Would be + -ing can represent a future-in-progress viewed from the past.
- Example: He said he would be travelling throughout August.
- In another context: He said he would be travelling throughout September.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
C1 takeaway
Do not ask only “Which form is grammatically possible?” Ask what the speaker is presenting as background or foreground, completed or ongoing, certain or tentative, generic or specific, neutral or emphatic. Advanced grammar is the control of those choices.
Was going to, would, was about to, was to, was due to and other ways of viewing the future from a past reference point
We _____ in May, but the logistics provider withdrew.
She assured us that the revised system _____ by Thursday.
The night coach _____ when the signal changed.
The council leader _____ the steering committee later that afternoon.
The new regulations _____ in October.
The construction partner _____ the work by the end of November.
Few people realised that the discovery _____ the profession.
I _____ the inconsistent entry, but the review meeting ended early.
They predicted that the pilot scheme _____ its costs by 2031.
He said he _____ throughout January.
Was going to, would, was about to, was to, was due to and other ways of viewing the future from a past reference point
We _____ in May, but the contractor withdrew.
She assured us that the revised system _____ by Wednesday.
The regional service _____ when the signal changed.
The agency chief _____ the review panel later that afternoon.
The new regulations _____ in January.
The external provider _____ the work by the end of March.
Few people realised that the discovery _____ the field.
I _____ the unexplained variance, but the strategy session ended early.
They predicted that the research initiative _____ its costs before 2038.
He said he _____ throughout April.
Was going to, would, was about to, was to, was due to and other ways of viewing the future from a past reference point
We were going to launch in May, but the external vendor withdrew.
She assured us that the revised system would be ready by Monday.
The airport shuttle was about to leave when the signal changed.
The commissioner was to address the advisory board later that afternoon.
The new regulations were due to take effect in April.
The engineering company was supposed to finish the work by the end of June.
Few people realised that the discovery would transform the sector.
I was going to mention the mismatch, but the hearing ended early.
They predicted that the rollout would have recovered its costs by the end of 2032.
He said he would be travelling throughout November.