Ways to Talk about Future in the Past

Ways to Talk about the Future in the Past

Hi English learners! Welcome to a new lesson. We will learn about the ways to talk about future in the past. 

We can use the following structures to do that:

• was/were going to
• was/were supposed to
• was/were due to

Was/were going to

We use the structure was/were going to to talk about something we planned or intended to do but we didn’t. We usually say the reason for not doing it.

• I was going to meet Sara for a cup of coffee but I didn’t;  I got a temperature.
• I thought you were going to pick me up from work. Why did you lie to me?
• Michael was going to call Martin but he didn’t have time.
• We were going to visit our grandparents on Sunday but it was raining so we didn’t.
• They were going to buy that car but they changed their mind at the last moment.

Was/were supposed to

If you are supposed to do something, it is what you are expected to do. The structure was/were supposed to is used to tell that someone had an obligation or was expected to do something but they didn’t. 

• The plane was supposed to arrive an hour ago but the weather is bad so it is delayed.
• They were supposed to take the children to the zoo but it was raining all day.
• No one in the company was supposed to know that but now everyone is talking about it.
• You were supposed to go to the party with me. Why didn’t you come?
• I was supposed to go on a date with Celia but she stood me up.

Was/were due to

We use the structure was/were due to to say that something was expected to happen at a particular time. It usually goes with a time expression.

• Sam was due to start working on Tuesday but he came on Monday.
• The old building was due to be demolished last week but it was cancelled at the last moment.
• The party was due to start at 7 but everyone was late so it started at 8.
• The TV crew were due to shoot the commercial in the city centre that morning.
• Lucy broke off the engagement three days before they were due to be married.

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