Future in the Past

• CEFR C1
• Grammar
• Printable
• Answer key

Future in the Past is a printable grammar worksheet for English language learners at CEFR level C1. It covers was going to, would, was to, was about to, and was due to, with 5 exercises and an answer key.

Future in the past describes events that were future from a past viewpoint.

Use was/were going to for plans or intentions, would for later events in narratives, and was/were to for formal arrangements or destiny.

Was/were about to and was/were due to show something expected very soon or according to a schedule.

Examples

• They were going to announce the result on Friday, but the vote was delayed.
• The decision would later prove controversial.
• The president was to meet the delegation the following day.
• We were about to leave when the phone rang.
• The train was due to leave at six.
• She was going to resign, but her team persuaded her to stay.
• It would be years before the full truth emerged.
• The reforms were to change the education system permanently.

What's in this worksheet

1. Complete the sentence
2. Correct the mistake
3. Transform the sentence
4. Mixed practice
5. Controlled production

Common mistakes

• They will announce the result on Friday, but the vote was delayed.  →  They were going to announce the result on Friday, but the vote was delayed. Use future in the past from a past viewpoint.
• The decision will later prove controversial.  →  The decision would later prove controversial. Use would in a past narrative.
• We were about leave when the phone rang.  →  We were about to leave when the phone rang. Use about to + base verb.
• The train was due leaving at six.  →  The train was due to leave at six. Use due to + base verb.