The Future Seen From the Past
I can distinguish a past intention, an imminent past event and a later outcome.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Choose a short recording.
Start with the contrast
At noon, Mina was going to call the supplier. At one, she was about to call when the phone rang. Later she said she would call after lunch. These forms locate a future prospect relative to an earlier viewpoint; none alone tells us the complete outcome of the day.
Read the situation transcript
At noon, Mina was going to call the supplier. At one, she was about to call when the phone rang. Later she said she would call after lunch. These forms locate a future prospect relative to an earlier viewpoint; none alone tells us the complete outcome of the day.
Does was going to call prove that Mina never called?
Compare your idea
No. It records a past intention; whether she fulfilled it requires context.
How it works
Was/were going to presents a plan or expectation held at a past time. Was/were about to presents an event as imminent from that viewpoint. Would can report a future viewed from an earlier point: she said she would call.
Separate the past prospect from the eventual outcome. A continuation can confirm or cancel it: she was going to call, and she did; she was going to call, but forgot. Do not build non-fulfilment into the form itself.
Past intention: was/were going to + base. Imminence: was/were about to + base. Reported future: would + base.
Reference situation
Mina was going to call after lunch, and she did.
The past plan was fulfilled.
Contrasting viewpoint
Mina was going to call, but she forgot.
The continuation establishes non-fulfilment.
Hear the examples
Mina was going to call after lunch, and she did.
The past plan was fulfilled.
Mina was going to call, but she forgot.
The continuation establishes non-fulfilment.
She was about to call when the phone rang.
The call was imminent at the past viewpoint.
She said she would call after lunch.
The future is viewed from her earlier statement.
One mistake worth avoiding
Instead of: Was going to always means the plan failed.
Say: Was going to records a past plan; the outcome needs context.
A fulfilled plan can also be described with was going to.
You say
Hear the prompt, answer aloud, then deliberately reveal or hear one possible model. Check it and retry with a changed detail.
Your turn 1
Describe a past plan that actually happened.
Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text
I was going to visit on Friday, and I did.
Check yourself: Explicitly confirm fulfilment.
Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.
Your turn 2
Describe an interrupted imminent action.
Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text
I was about to leave when my neighbour arrived.
Check yourself: Place the interruption at the imminent point.
Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.
Your turn 3
Report a past promise and state whether it was fulfilled.
Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text
She said she would call, and she called that evening.
Check yourself: Do not infer fulfilment from would alone.
Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.
Two guided self-checks
Say or write your answer before opening a model.
Self-check 1
Add a continuation showing fulfilment: “We were going to meet at six…”
Compare a model and explanation
We were going to meet at six, and we did.
The form allows fulfilled intentions.
Self-check 2
Report “I will call after lunch” from an earlier conversation.
Compare a model and explanation
She said she would call after lunch.
Would locates the future from the earlier saying.
Check your understanding
Choose one answer to each question, then check your answers. One of the ten questions is listening.
Automatic scoring needs JavaScript. Use the answer key after attempting all ten questions.
Answer key with explanations
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They were going ___ after lunch.
to meet: Was/were going to is followed by a base verb.
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She was about ___ when I arrived.
to leave: About to presents an imminent event and takes a base verb.
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Does “They were going to meet” alone establish that the meeting failed?
No: The outcome is not settled by the past intention form alone.
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Which continuation confirms fulfilment?
They were going to meet, and they did.: And they did explicitly confirms the intended event occurred.
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Which form most directly presents past imminence?
was about to leave: About to places the event on the verge of happening.
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Correct “She said she would called.”
She said she would call.: Would takes the base form call.
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Does “She said she would call” prove that she called?
No: It reports a future prospect from the past, not the eventual outcome.
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Was the plan fulfilled?
Yes, the speaker says they did meet.: And we did confirms fulfilment.
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Which report keeps intention and outcome separate?
She planned to call, but we don’t know whether she did.: The correct answer distinguishes the prospect from the known outcome.
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What is the key viewpoint?
A future prospect located relative to a past time: The eventual result is separate information.
Take it with you
I can distinguish a past intention, an imminent past event and a later outcome.