Future in the past uses two verb forms: "would" and "was/were going to". The future in the past expresses a past idea of something you thought would happen in the future. You can use both verb forms to make statements of what you thought would or was/were going to happen in the future. Both forms are used to make predictions about the future. However, the event or action may or may not actually happen. The two verb forms will give the sentence different meanings.
"Would" is used to indicate talking in the past about what someone promised or offered to do.
"Was/were going to" is used to indicate talking in the past about what someone planned to do.
Directions: Choose the correct answer
1) My friend planned to give me a ride to school, but she forgot.
a. She was going to give me a ride, but she forgot.
b. She were going to give me a ride, but she forgot.
c. She going to give me a ride, but she forgot.
d. She was giving me a ride, but she forgot.
2) My brother made a promise to help me with my homework.
a. He promised he was going helping me with my homework.
b. He promising to help me with my homework.
c. He promised he would help me with my homework.
d. He promise helping me with my homework.
3) My roommate offered to pick up Chinese food for dinner.
a. She said she were going to pick up Chinese food for dinner.
b. She said she would pick up Chinese food for dinner.
c. She said she going to pick up Chinese food for dinner.
d. She said she picking up Chinese food for dinner.
4) Mark and Jennifer planned to go to the party, but they didn't.
a. Mark and Jennifer were going to go to the party, but they didn't.
b. Mark and Jennifer was going to go to the party, but they didn't.
c. Mark and Jennifer would go to the party, but they didn't.
d. Mark and Jennifer going to the party, but they didn't.
5) We planned to go to the movies tonight, but my friend got sick.
a. We going to go to the movies, but my friend got sick.
b. We would go to go to the movies, but my friend got sick.
c. We was going to go to the movies, but my friend got sick.
d. We were going to go to the movies, but my friend got sick.
Directions: Choose the correct answer
1) The choir concert started at 7 pm. We _______________ be at the concert hall by 6:30, but our car broke down.
a. would
b. was going to
c. were going to
2) I studied all night. I was sure I _______________ pass the test.
a. would
b. would be
c. would go
3) I wanted to take a long vacation. I _______________ travel around the world.
a. would be
b. was going to
c. were going to
4) My father does not like to be late. I knew we _______________ leave on time.
a. would
b. would be
c. was going to
5) I forgot to mail my rent check. I _______________ mail it yesterday.
a. would
b. was going to
c. were going to
Quiz 1 Answers
1) a. She was going to give me a ride, but she forgot.
2) c. He promised he would help me with my homework.
3) b. She said she would pick up Chinese food for dinner.
4) a. Mark and Jennifer were going to go to the party, but they didn't.
5) d. We were going to go to the movies, but my friend got sick.
Quiz 2 Answers
1) c. were going to
2) a. would
3) b. was going to
4) a. would
5) b. was going to
