⏳ Future in the Past: Complete Guide for B2 Learners
📌 1. What is Future in the Past?
Future in the past is a grammatical structure used to talk about a future event from a past perspective. In other words, we look back from a point in the past and talk about something that was still in the future at that time.
Now, looking back from 2025: "In 2010, I decided that I would become a doctor."
Or: "In 2010, I was going to become a doctor, but I changed my mind."
🎯 2. Was/Were Going To (Intention / Prediction)
Structure: was/were + going to + base verb
I was going to call you, but I forgot.
She was going to study medicine, but she became a teacher.
They were going to buy a house, but they couldn't afford it.
Past prediction (based on evidence):
It was going to rain, but the clouds cleared.
The car was going to break down any minute.
🎯 3. Would (Past Future / Habitual Actions)
Structure: would + base verb
He said he would arrive at 5 PM.
She promised she would never lie again.
They knew they would succeed.
Past habits (repeated actions):
Every summer, we would go to the beach.
When I was young, I would play outside for hours.
🎯 4. Was/Were About To (Immediate Future)
Structure: was/were + about to + base verb
She was about to fall asleep when the alarm went off.
They were about to give up when they found the solution.
The movie was about to start, so we hurried inside.
📘 5. Other Forms: Was to, Was due to, Was supposed to
The president was to visit Paris, but the trip was cancelled.
Was/Were due to (scheduled):
The flight was due to arrive at 6 PM, but it was delayed.
Was/Were supposed to (expected, but often didn't happen):
I was supposed to meet her at the station, but I got lost.
📊 6. Comparison Table: Was going to vs Would vs Was about to
| Form | Primary Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| was/were going to | Intention / prediction (often unfulfilled) | I was going to study, but I watched TV. |
| would | Future from past / habitual action | He said he would come. / We would play every day. |
| was/were about to | Immediate future (interrupted) | I was about to eat when the doorbell rang. |
| was/were to | Formal planned future | The meeting was to start at 10. |
| was/were supposed to | Expected (often unfulfilled) | She was supposed to call me. |
⚠️ 7. Common Mistakes
✅ I was going to study.
❌ He said he will come.
✅ He said he would come. (backshift in reported speech)
❌ I was about to left.
✅ I was about to leave.
❌ Every summer we were going to go to the beach.
✅ Every summer we would go to the beach. (habitual action)
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'was going to' and 'would'?
'Was going to' expresses a past intention or plan that may or may not have happened (e.g., 'I was going to call you, but I forgot'). 'Would' is used for past habits (e.g., 'Every summer we would go to the beach') or future from past perspective in reported speech (e.g., 'He said he would arrive at 5').
When do we use 'was about to'?
Use 'was about to' for something that was going to happen immediately in the past but often didn't. Example: 'I was about to leave when the phone rang.' (The leaving was interrupted.)
Can 'was going to' be used for predictions?
Yes. Example: 'It was going to rain, but the clouds disappeared.' (Past prediction based on evidence.)
What is the difference between 'was to', 'was due to' and 'was supposed to'?
Was to is a formal planned future (The president was to visit Paris). Was due to means scheduled (The flight was due to arrive at 6 PM). Was supposed to means expected but often didn't happen (I was supposed to meet her, but I got lost).
Can 'would' describe past states?
No. 'Would' for past habits works with actions, not states. Use 'used to' for past states: 'I used to have a dog' (correct), not 'I would have a dog' (wrong). For repeated past actions, both 'would' and 'used to' work: 'Every summer we would go to the beach' = 'Every summer we used to go to the beach'.