Future in the past

Sometimes when we are talking about the past, we want to talk about something which was in the future at that time – which had not yet happened. To express this idea, we use the structures that are normally used to talk about the future ((see here), but we make the verb forms past. For example, instead of is going to we use was going to; instead of the present progressive we use the past progressive; instead of will we use would; instead of is to we use was to.

• Last time I saw you, you were going to start a new job.
• I had no time to shop because I was leaving for Germany in two hours.
• In 1988 I arrived in the town where I would spend ten years of my life.
• I went to have a look at the room where I was to talk that afternoon.

Perfect forms of be going to are also possible.

• I’ve been going to write to you for ages, but I’ve only just found time.

note

For was to have + past participle (e.g. She was to have taken over my job, but she fell ill), (see here).