Future in the past
Future in the past
I was going to call you. He was about to leave. We were to meet at noon. She was on the verge of quitting — how to talk about plans that never happened.
was going to / was about to / was supposed to
I was going to call you, but I forgot. (intended, didn’t happen)
He was about to leave when the phone rang. (just about to)
She was supposed to arrive at 9. (expected, maybe didn’t)
👉 was/were to + infinitive — formal arrangement: We were to meet at noon.
on the verge/point/brink of; was to have done
She was on the verge of quitting.
He was on the point of resigning.
The company was on the brink of collapse.
He was to have become a doctor, but war broke out. (planned but didn’t happen)
👉 was to have + pp = planned but unrealized — very formal.
You have covered 100% of the content
You have covered the whole lesson content — now practice the material in interactive exercises designed for the lesson "Future in the past" (Future in the past) and make progress in your language skills!
