English — Future in the past
To talk about something that was still in the future when seen from a past moment, English uses was/were going to, would, and was to. "I was going to call but forgot" describes a plan made in the past that did not happen.
How it works
Was/were going to expresses an earlier intention or expectation ("We were going to leave at six"). Would reports a future foreseen in the past, common in reported speech ("She said she would help"). Was to (be to) marks something arranged, destined, or scheduled ("The meeting was to start at noon"). All three shift a present-viewpoint future back into the past.
Examples
| Example | Meaning / use |
|---|---|
| I was going to call but forgot. | Past intention that was not carried out. |
| We were going to move house that spring. | A plan expected at that past time. |
| She said she would help us. | Reported future (from "I will help"). |
| He knew he would see them again. | A future certain from the past viewpoint. |
| The meeting was to start at noon. | Something arranged or scheduled (formal). |
| They were to be married in June. | Destined or expected outcome (was to). |
| I was going to say something, but stayed quiet. | An impulse checked at the last moment. |
Good to know
Was/were going to often implies the plan failed, so "I was going to call" hints "but I didn't." Was to + perfect infinitive stresses that a destined event did not happen: "He was to have signed the contract" means the signing fell through. Do not confuse this would with the conditional would; here it is simply the past of will, not an "if" clause.