Future in the past (C1) — English exercises with answers

Talking about the future from a point in the past: was going to, would, was about to, was to (have), was due to

Correct answers are marked. Add the set to your exercises to open it in the editor, where you can adjust tasks, play them on screen or add them to a lesson.

1
Multiple choice
I call you last night, but my phone died.
was going toam going towillwould have'Was going to' describes a past intention that was not carried out.
2
Multiple choice
When I first met her, I had no idea that she my wife one day.
would becomewill becomebecameis becoming'Would' looks forward from a moment in the past: it is the past form of 'will'.
3
Multiple choice
We leave the house when the phone rang, so we were late for the film.
were about toare about towouldwere going'Was/were about to' describes something that was going to happen very soon in the past.
4
Multiple choice
Which sentence describes an arrangement that did NOT happen?
The meeting was to have taken place on Friday, but it was postponed.The meeting took place on Friday.The meeting had taken place by Friday.The meeting was taking place on Friday when the fire alarm went off.'Was to have + past participle' refers to a plan or arrangement that was cancelled.
5
Fill the gap
She promised that she (help) me move house, but she never turned up.
Answer: would helpIn reported promises, 'will' becomes 'would': 'I'll help you' → she promised she would help me.
6
Fill the gap
I (meet) Tom at six, so I couldn't stay late at work.
Answer: was meetingAlso accepted: was going to meet, was supposed to meetThe past continuous can describe a fixed arrangement seen from the past, just as the present continuous does for the future.
7
Fill the gap
The train was to leave at 7.15, but it was cancelled because of the strike.
Answer: dueAlso accepted: supposed, scheduled'Was due to / was supposed to' describes something that was planned or timetabled in the past.
8
Fill the gap
Little did they know that their tiny shop (grow) into a global brand.
Answer: would growAlso accepted: was to grow, was going to grow'Would' or 'was to' (more formal, for destiny) describe what really happened later, seen from the past.
9
Fill the gap
We were on the of giving up when we finally saw the lights of the village.
Answer: pointAlso accepted: verge, brink'Be on the point / verge / brink of + -ing' means 'be just about to do something'.
10
True / false
This sentence is correct: 'I thought it will rain, so I took an umbrella.'
Answer: FalseAfter a past verb, 'will' becomes 'would': 'I thought it would rain'.
11
True / false
In 'He was to become one of the greatest painters of his time', the event really happened later.
Answer: True'Was to + infinitive' in narratives describes what destiny had in store; 'was to have done' would mean it didn't happen.
12
Discussion question
Describe a plan you once had that didn't work out. Use at least three of: was going to, was about to, was supposed to, would.
Sample answer: Two years ago I was going to move to Berlin for a job. I was supposed to start in March, and I was about to book my flight when the company froze all hiring. At the time I was devastated; I had no idea that a month later I would be offered a much better job in my own city.

Talking about the future from a point in the past: was going to, would, was about to, was to (have), was due to

Correct answers are marked. Add the set to your exercises to open it in the editor, where you can adjust tasks, play them on screen or add them to a lesson.

1
Multiple choice
I call you last night, but my phone died.
was going toam going towillwould have'Was going to' describes a past intention that was not carried out.
2
Multiple choice
When I first met her, I had no idea that she my wife one day.
would becomewill becomebecameis becoming'Would' looks forward from a moment in the past: it is the past form of 'will'.
3
Multiple choice
We leave the house when the phone rang, so we were late for the film.
were about toare about towouldwere going'Was/were about to' describes something that was going to happen very soon in the past.
4
Multiple choice
Which sentence describes an arrangement that did NOT happen?
The meeting was to have taken place on Friday, but it was postponed.The meeting took place on Friday.The meeting had taken place by Friday.The meeting was taking place on Friday when the fire alarm went off.'Was to have + past participle' refers to a plan or arrangement that was cancelled.
5
Fill the gap
She promised that she (help) me move house, but she never turned up.
Answer: would helpIn reported promises, 'will' becomes 'would': 'I'll help you' → she promised she would help me.
6
Fill the gap
I (meet) Tom at six, so I couldn't stay late at work.
Answer: was meetingAlso accepted: was going to meet, was supposed to meetThe past continuous can describe a fixed arrangement seen from the past, just as the present continuous does for the future.
7
Fill the gap
The train was to leave at 7.15, but it was cancelled because of the strike.
Answer: dueAlso accepted: supposed, scheduled'Was due to / was supposed to' describes something that was planned or timetabled in the past.
8
Fill the gap
Little did they know that their tiny shop (grow) into a global brand.
Answer: would growAlso accepted: was to grow, was going to grow'Would' or 'was to' (more formal, for destiny) describe what really happened later, seen from the past.
9
Fill the gap
We were on the of giving up when we finally saw the lights of the village.
Answer: pointAlso accepted: verge, brink'Be on the point / verge / brink of + -ing' means 'be just about to do something'.
10
True / false
This sentence is correct: 'I thought it will rain, so I took an umbrella.'
Answer: FalseAfter a past verb, 'will' becomes 'would': 'I thought it would rain'.
11
True / false
In 'He was to become one of the greatest painters of his time', the event really happened later.
Answer: True'Was to + infinitive' in narratives describes what destiny had in store; 'was to have done' would mean it didn't happen.
12
Discussion question
Describe a plan you once had that didn't work out. Use at least three of: was going to, was about to, was supposed to, would.
Sample answer: Two years ago I was going to move to Berlin for a job. I was supposed to start in March, and I was about to book my flight when the company froze all hiring. At the time I was devastated; I had no idea that a month later I would be offered a much better job in my own city.