Future in the Past

Before talking about past future, you need to know what the
future simple is.
Let’s draw the time line first
Let’s compare with the future past time line
Point out that was going to and would follow the
same basic rules as is going to (used for plans I
decisions I intentions I future events with present
evidence) and will (predictions).
 The function of Past Future
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.

The future in the past follows similar rules as the simple future
forms

Would is used to talk about a past future promise or prediction

with no evidence.

was/were going to is used to talk about a past future firm plan,

intention or a prediction with evidence.
 WOULD AS A PAST FUTURE
The form for would as a past future is:

Would + bare-infinitive verb

Examples:
• He was sure she would never help him. It turned out he had been
right – (a past promise)
• She promised she would call me, but she never did – (a past promise).
• They said they would be here by 9pm, but they haven’t arrived yet – (a
promise).
• The newspapers said it would rain but it’s stayed dry – (a prediction
without evidence).
• I thought they would win, but it was a draw – (a prediction without
evidence)
 WAS/WERE GOING TO AS A PAST
FUTURE
The form for was/were going to is:

was/were + going to + infinitive verb

was/were going to is often used to talk about an intention or plan that

didn’t happen.
• I was going to tell her but I didn’t get time – A future plan or
intention in the past.
• They were going to start the project on Monday but had to change
plans due to an operational issue – A future plan or intention in the
past.
• He told me he was going to travel by bus so I’ll wait for him at the
stop – A future intention told in the past.
• She said she was going to wash her hair tonight so couldn’t go
out – a future intention told in the past.
REMEMBER No Future in Time Clauses

Like all future forms, future in the past cannot be used in clauses
beginning with time expressions such as: when, while, before, after, by
the time, as soon as, if, unless, etc. Instead of using future in the past,
you must use simple past.

Examples:
• I already told Mark that when he would arrive, we would go out for
dinner. Not Correct
• I already told Mark that when he arrived, we would go out for
dinner. Correct
 Exercise
1. We ... with them, but they finally convinced us.
a. weren't going to travel b. wouldn't travel c. weren't to travel

2. I ... the report when I noticed some alarming details.

a. was to sign b. was about to sign c. would sign

3. Peter decided he ... to France on holidays.

a, will go b. would go c. went

4. After many days of suffering, he ...

a. was supposed to break down
b. would break down
c. was on the verge of breakdown
5. I was sure that after midnight I ...
a. would be sleeping b. would sleep c. was sleeping