Use was/were going to for a past intention that was often unfulfilled, as in she was going to accept the job offer, but she changed her mind, and would for a past narrative prediction, as in this chance encounter would change the entire course of his career. Both describe a future viewed from a past moment.
Grammar Rule
Future in the past describes an action expected or planned from a past viewpoint, whether or not it actually occurred.
Future in the Past: Rules and Examples
| Form | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| was/were going to | past intention (often unfulfilled) | She was going to accept the job offer, but she changed her mind at the last minute. |
| would | past narrative prediction | He didn’t know it then, but this chance encounter would change the entire course of his career. |
Remember: was/were going to + infinitive for past intentions; would + base verb for past narrative predictions.
Practice Test
Instructions
Answer each question in the test below using future in the past correctly. You will get a new random set of questions every time you retake the test, plus a downloadable results summary with your name and score at the end.
Future in the Past
Click «Start the test» to begin right away — no signup required. You can get a personalized certificate with your name and score at the end, if you want one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you express an unfulfilled past intention?
Use was/were going to, as in she was going to accept the job offer, but she changed her mind.
How do you express a past narrative prediction?
Use would plus the base verb, as in this chance encounter would change the entire course of his career.
What does future in the past describe?
It describes an action expected or planned from a past viewpoint, whether or not it actually happened.
Is future in the past the same as the future simple?
No, it looks at the future from a point in the past, not from the present moment.