Future in the Past
- TC
- May 25
- 4 min read
When we talk about the future, we usually speak from the present moment:
I will travel to Italy next year.
But sometimes we need to describe a future action from a point in the past. This grammar structure is called future in the past.
It is commonly used in:
storytelling
reported speech
narratives
formal writing
advanced conversation
1. What Is Future in the Past?
Future in the past describes:
something that was in the future at a past moment
plans, predictions, or expectations people had in the past
Compare:
Timeline | Example |
Future from now | She will become a doctor. |
Future from the past | She knew she would become a doctor. |
In the second sentence, becoming a doctor was still in the future, but only from the perspective of the past.
2. Main Forms of Future in the Past
A) WOULD + BASE VERB
This is the most common structure.
Structure:
subject + would + infinitive
Examples:
I thought you would call me.
He said he would arrive at 8 p.m.
They believed the project would succeed.
She knew it would be difficult.
Usage:
We use it for:
predictions
expectations
promises
reported speech
B) WAS/WERE GOING TO
Used for past plans or intentions.
Structure:
subject + was/were going to + infinitive
Examples:
We were going to travel to Japan, but we cancelled the trip.
She was going to study medicine.
I was going to text you yesterday.
Important:
This structure often suggests:
the plan did not happen
OR
the speaker is focusing on the intention.
C) WAS/WERE ABOUT TO
Used for actions that were going to happen very soon.
Structure:
subject + was/were about to + infinitive
Examples:
I was about to leave when you called.
The show was about to start.
She was about to cry.
Meaning:
“Very close to happening.”
OTHER FUTURE EXPRESSIONS:
Present Form | Meaning | Past Form | Meaning |
am/is/are about to + infinitive | something is going to happen very soon | was/were about to + infinitive | something was going to happen very soon |
The train is about to leave the station. | imminent future action | She was about to send the email when her laptop crashed. | imminent future from a past perspective |
am/is/are on the brink/point/verge of + -ing verb | very close to doing something | was/were on the brink/point/verge of + -ing verb | was very close to doing something |
The company is on the verge of expanding into Asia. | near dramatic change/action | He was on the point of quitting his job when he got promoted. | almost did something |
am/is/are to + infinitive | official plan, arrangement, or instruction | was/were to + infinitive | future arrangement or destiny from the past |
The students are to submit their essays by Monday. | formal scheduled future event | The scientist was to give a speech at the conference that evening. | planned future event in the past |
am/is/are due to + infinitive | expected or scheduled to happen | was/were due to + infinitive | expected or scheduled in the past |
The new shopping centre is due to open in September. | expected future action | The flight was due to land at midnight, but it was delayed by fog. | expected future action from a past viewpoint |
D) PAST CONTINUOUS FOR FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS
Sometimes we use the past continuous to describe future arrangements from a past perspective.
Examples:
They were meeting the client the next day.
I was flying to London on Friday.
She was having dinner with her boss that evening.
3. Future in the Past in Reported Speech
Future forms often change in reported speech.
Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
“I will help you.” | He said he would help me. |
“We are going to move.” | They said they were going to move. |
“I am leaving tomorrow.” | She said she was leaving the next day. |
Examples:
“I will never forget this.”
→ She said she would never forget it.
“We are going to buy a house.”
→ They said they were going to buy a house.
4. Future in the Past in Storytelling
This grammar is extremely common in stories and novels because writers often describe events from a past perspective.
Example Narrative:
Anna looked at the dark sky and realized the storm would arrive soon. She was about to go inside when she heard someone calling her name.
Advanced Examples:
Nobody realized that this small decision would change their lives forever.
She thought the interview was going to be easy, but it turned out to be extremely stressful.
The scientists believed the experiment would lead to a breakthrough.
5. Future Perfect in the Past
Structure:
subject + would have + past participle
Examples:
She thought she would have finished the project by Friday.
They believed the train would have arrived by then.
I assumed you would have heard the news already.
He said he would have completed the report before the meeting.
Differences Between Structures
Structure | Meaning | Example |
would | prediction/expectation | He knew it would happen. |
was going to | plan/intention | We were going to leave early. |
was about to | immediate future | She was about to speak. |
past continuous | arrangement | They were meeting him later. |
future perfect | completed action before a future point in the past | She said she would have finished by Friday. |
6. Common Mistakes
❌ He said he will come. ✅He said he would come.
❌ I was about leaving. ✅I was about to leave.
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1 – Choose the Correct Form
I knew she ___ later.
a) will call
b) would call
c) was call
They ___ buy a new apartment before prices increased.
a) were going to
b) would
c) about to
We ___ leave when the police arrived.
a) would
b) were going
c) were about to
Exercise 2 – Rewrite into Reported Speech
“I will help you tomorrow.”
→ __________________________
“We are going to move abroad.”
→ __________________________
“I’m meeting Tom tonight.”
→ __________________________
Exercise 3 – Complete the Story
Use:
would
was/were going to
was/were about to
Sarah looked nervous. She __________ give a presentation in front of 200 people. She thought the audience __________ be friendly, but suddenly the lights went out. She __________ start speaking when the microphone stopped working.
ONLINE EXERCISES:
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