Sometimes when we are talking about past events, we want to refer to something that was in the future at that time. Here are five ways you can use past forms to describe the future from a past perspective.
1. Am/Is/Are Going To Becomes Was/Were Going To
Use this for predictions or intentions that changed. For example:
Note: When speaking quickly, “was going to” often becomes “was gonna.”
2. Present Continuous Becomes Past Continuous
This is used for future arrangements that were relevant in the past. For example:
This form can also describe plans that didn’t happen.
3. Will Becomes Would
Use “would” to talk about things you said would happen. For example:
Remember: We usually contract “would” to “‘d.”
4. Am/Are/Is About To Becomes Was/Were About To
Use this structure for actions that were imminent. For example:
5. Future Perfect Becomes Would + Have + Past Participle
Use this to talk about things that you expected to have happened by a certain point in the past. For example:
Note: When speaking, we often use a double contraction, such as “I’d’ve.”