Introduction

At B2 level, your understanding of time in English becomes more sophisticated. You are no longer limited to describing events from the present moment. You are now able to shift perspective and speak about the future as it appeared at a moment in the past. This is what we call the future in the past.

In this lesson, I will guide you step by step through the structures used to describe future events from a past point of view, particularly with would and was/were going to. By the end of the unit, you will be able to narrate past plans, expectations, predictions, and intentions with clarity and precision.

Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives
By the end of this unit, you will be able to describe future events from a past perspective using would and was/were going to. You will understand the difference between reported predictions and past intentions. You will also be able to use these forms naturally in narrative contexts.

1. Understanding the concept of “future in the past”

The future in the past describes something that was future at a past moment.
When you are telling a story or reporting past thoughts, you sometimes need to refer to something that had not yet happened at that time, but was expected or planned.

For example: “In 2015, I didn’t know that I would move abroad.” From today’s perspective, the move is in the past. But in 2015, it was still in the future.

The key idea is perspective. We are inside a past moment, looking forward from that moment.

2. Using “would” for future in the past

We often use would + base verb to express a future event seen from a past point of view.

This is especially common in reported speech and narrative writing.

For example: “She said she would call me.” At the moment she spoke, the call was in the future.

Another example is: “He believed he would succeed.” At that time, success had not yet happened. It was something expected in the future.

Let us look at the structure.

“Would” in this context is not conditional. It simply marks the future from a past perspective.

3. Using “was going to” for past intentions

We use “was/were going to” to describe past plans or intentions.
When someone had already made a plan in the past about their future, we often use “was going to” or “were going to.”

For example: “I was going to call you, but I forgot.” The intention existed in the past, but it may or may not have happened.

Another example is: “They were going to travel to Japan.” This refers to a past plan.

The structure is: subject + was/were + going to + base verb.

This form emphasizes intention rather than prediction.

4. Comparing “would” and “was going to”

This distinction is important at B2 level.

“Would” is often used for reported speech, predictions, or expectations from a past point of view.

For example: “He said he would help.” This reports what someone promised or predicted.

“Was going to” focuses more clearly on an intention or plan that existed in the past.

For example: “He was going to help, but he changed his mind.” Here, the emphasis is on the plan.

Sometimes both forms are possible, but the nuance changes. “She knew she would succeed” expresses belief or prediction. “She was going to succeed” sounds more like an inevitable result or a strong intention.

Do not confuse “would” with the conditional.
In the future in the past, “would” does not express an unreal situation. It simply reflects how the future was seen at a specific moment in the past.

5. Practical Examples in Narrative Context

Imagine you are telling a story.

“In 2010, I moved to a new city. I didn’t know that I would meet my best friend there.” At that time, the meeting was still in the future.

Or: “We were going to buy a house, but the prices increased.” This describes a plan that existed but was not completed.

These forms are essential in storytelling, academic writing, and professional communication because they allow you to move naturally between time perspectives.

Practice Exercises

Complete the sentences using “would” or “was/were going to.”
Pay attention to whether the sentence expresses a prediction, reported speech, or a past intention.