Identify the form
A past intention that did not happen.
was/were going to
I knew it ___ be difficult.
A) was going to B) would
B (would)
I was going to tell him.
Past intention
I knew it was going to be a good idea.
I knew it would be a good idea.
Was going to is mainly used for past intentions.
True
A future event seen from a past point of view as an expectation.
would
I ___ call her, but I forgot.
A) would B) was going to
B (was going to)
She thought she would fail.
Past belief or expectation
We were going to meet the director at 10. (formal appointment)
We were to meet the director at 10.
Would always means there was no evidence.
False
A fixed plan or arrangement already decided in the past.
past continuous
We ___ meet the headteacher at 9 a.m. (official schedule)
A) were meeting B) were to
B (were to)
We were meeting at six.
Past arrangement
She would call him, but she changed her mind.
She was going to call him, but she changed her mind.
The past continuous shows arrangements in the past.
True
was/were about to
She ___ leave the room when the bell rang.
A) was going to B) was about to
B (was about to)
He was about to speak.
Immediate future in the past
I was meeting him when he suddenly arrived.
I was about to meet him when he suddenly arrived.
Was to is informal.
False
A formal or official arrangement in the past.
was/were to
They ___ flying to Paris the next day. (tickets booked)
A) were flying B) were going to
A (were flying)
The President was to visit.
Formal or official arrangement
They were going to fly at 6 p.m. (tickets booked)
They were flying at 6 p.m.
Was about to refers to the distant future.
False