Future in the past

​FUTURE IN THE PAST

REVIEW CLASS​

​The future in the past is used to refer to something that was the future at some time in the past. It does not matter if the future event happened or not as it was thought to be the future at the time.

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As for the simple future forms will, going to and the continuous, there are three future in the past forms: would, was/were going to and was/were + continuous verb.

​The future in the past follows similar rules as the simple future forms will going to and the continuous verb. 

​Would is used to talk about a past future promise or prediction with no evidence.

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Was/were going to is used to talk about a past future firm plan, intention or a prediction with evidence.

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Was/were + continuous verb is used to talk about a future in the past that was a personal arrangement.

Some text here about the topic of discussion

​Examples:

​would:

He was sure she would help him yesterday, but Kelly had an accident.

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was/ were going to:

I was going to tell her but I didn’t get time.

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was/ were + ING

They were packing their suitcases as they were leaving for a holiday.​

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Some text here about the topic of discussion

Multiple Choice

They were cooking as they _______a dinner party.

• were about to

• would have

• were having

• were going to have

Multiple Choice

They ______ start the project on Monday but had to change plans due to an operational issue

• were going to

• would

• were about

• were to

Multiple Choice

She promised she _________ me, but she never did

• was going to call

• was about to call

• was about call

• would call

Multiple Choice

She was nervous as she _________ an exam that afternoon.

• would have

• was having

• was having.

• was about to have

Multiple Choice

He told me he _________travel by bus so I’ll wait for him at the stop

• was going to

• was about to

• was travelling

• was to

Multiple Select

They said they ______ here by 9 pm, but they haven’t arrived yet.

• would be

• were being

• were going to be

• were about be

Multiple Select

I saw him last week. He said he _________ for Spain to start a new life.

• would leave

• was going to leave

• was leaving

• was bout leave

Multiple Choice

She said she __________ her hair tonight so couldn’t go out.

• would to wash

• was about to

• was going to wash

• was washing

Multiple Choice

The newspapers said it _________ but it’s stay totally dry.

• would rain

• was going to rain

• was about to rain

• was raining

Multiple Choice

I thought they _________ , but it was a prediction.

• would win

• were winning

• were going to win

• would to win

Multiple Choice

she was _________ to Italy, she bought the tickets, but she missed them.

• travelling

• was about to

• going to travel

• wolud travel