Future in the past

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4

Future in the past

We use the future in the past to talk about future events from a point of view in the past

Future in the past

I went to a cafe yesterday. I was about to buy a coffee when I realized that I had left my wallet at home.

1. "...a tale that would become the most recognized horror story in the world."

2. " At the time of writing, the story was a powerful warning against scientific advances and the Industrial Revolution, which was spreading across Europe."

3. Many artists and writers were concerned about this industrialization and the effect it would have one a man's relationship with nature.

4. After a while, Byron suggested they write their own and Mary decided she was going to write about her nightmare.

Which sentences are examples of:

A) a future plan or intention (1 sentence)

B) an event that is in the very distant future or would last a long time (2 sentences)

C) an event that took place in the past (1 sentence)

1. "...a tale that would become the most recognized horror story in the world." 

2. " At the time of writing, the story was a powerful warning against scientific advances and the Industrial Revolution, which was spreading across Europe."

3. Many artists and writers were concerned about this industrialization and the effect it would have one a man's relationship with nature.

4. After a while, Byron suggested they write their own and Mary decided she was going to write about her nightmare.

Which sentences are examples of:

A) a future plan or intention (1 sentence) = 4

B) an event that is in the very distant future or would last a long time (2 sentences) = 1, 3

C) an event that took place in the past (1 sentence) = 2

Note: Future in the past

If, during the past, we were thinking about the future or making plans for the future, we use future in the past to express this. We use different forms depending on whether we are describing intentions, plans, possibilities, predictions or events that actually took place at a later time.

#1 Would + infinitive

We use 'would'

• to talk about predictions in the past.
• We use 'would' especially when the future event was in the very distant future or lasted  a long time.

The discovery of antibiotics in 1929 would revolutionize medical care in the 20th century

Some of my friends believed the world would end in the year 2000.

#2 was/were going to + infinitive

We use 'was/were going to' to:

• to talk about plans or intentions

She was going to finish her homework, but then she decided to go out instead.

• to talk about predictions in the past

Some of my friends believed the world was going to end in the year 2000.

#3 past continuous

We use the past continuous

• to talk about an arrangements made in the past.

It was a Sunday and we were meeting at 10 a.m.

#4 was/were going to become

We use 'was/were to become':

• to talk about events that may or may not take place in the future.

He was always going to become a world-famous physicist, so I wasn't suprised when he won a Nobel prize.

He was always going to become a world-famous physicist, so I was very suprised when he chose to become a teacher.

1. You're back early. I thought you ________ play tennis with Jack this evening! That was your plan, wasn't it?

1. would
2. were going to

2. Wendy called me as I __________ to school.

1. would go
2. was going

3. I used to believe that life in the neighbourhood ___________ improve one day. I no longer believe that.

1. was to
2. would

4. The drummer left the band when they ____________

1. were touring
2. would tour the country

5. Simon was shy at school. I had no idea that one day he ___________ become a famous film star.

1. would
2. was going to