Grammar: Expressing intentions and plans that changed:Was / Were going to and Would.
Express and ask about past intentions and plans that changed with this form:
Was / Were going to +a base form.
For example:
I was going to get married (but I didn't)
They were going to study art (but they didn't)
You can also use Would (the past of will) + a base form to express plans and intentions that changed, but only in a noun clause following verbs such as thought, believed, or said.
For example:
She thought she would be a doctor (but she changed her mind)
We always believed they would get married (but they never did)
Note: You can also use was / were going to in a noun clause after thought, believed, or said.
They said they were going to arrive before noon (but they didn't)
Vocabulary:Reasons for changing plans.
I wanted to be a rock star, but my tastes changed.
I was going to be an artist, but it's hard to make a living as an artist.
I thought I would be a lawyer, but I didn't pass the exam.
I wanted to become a firefighter, but my family talked me out of it.
I was going to marry Dina, but I changed my mind.
Video: "Future in the past"
In this video you can see a brief explanation of the topic addressed in class.
What are some plans you had to changed because of the pandemic?
At the beginning of the pandemic, I was going to go to the gym, but then it was difficult to go.
What are some plans you had in the past but changed? Why did they change? Are you happy with the result?
In the past, I was going to visit my aunts in Spain but due to the pandemic, I couldn't travel. Also I was going to travel to Cartagena with my family, but then my uncles got sick so I couldn't go.
I'm not happy with the result because I was excited to do those things.
Use perfect modals to express feelings and beliefs about past actions and events:
• Regrets or judgments: should have + past participle
I should have studied medicine. (But unfortunately, I didn’t.)She shouldn’t have divorced Sam. (But unfortunately, she did.)
• Possibility: may have / might have + past participle
I may (OR might) have failed the final exam. It was really hard. He may (ORmight) not have been able to make a living as a painter.
• Ability (OR possibility): could have + past participle
He was the driver. He could have prevented the accident. The museum was closed, but she couldn’t have knownthat. It’s usually open on Tuesdays.
• Certainty: would have + past participle
You should have gone to Rio. You would have loved it. It’s good he broke up with Anne. They wouldn’t have been happy together.
• Conclusions: must have + past participle
Beth isn’t here. She must have gone home early.(I think that’s what happened.)They didn’t buy the house. The price must not have been acceptable.(I think that’s the reason.)
ACTIVITY # 2. Choose the modal that logically completes each sentence. Write that modal and the verb in the perfect modal form.
1. I don’t know why she married him. He must have been the only man available.
(must or should) be
2. I should have studied architecture. I would have beenreally good at it.
(Should or may) study. (must or would) be
3. Jenna’s not studying Chinese anymore. It might have been too hard to learn Chinese and Japanese at the same time. (should or might) be
4. We didn’t know we were going to have five children. We shouldn't have bought such a small house.
(could not or should not) buy
5. Ella still loves Ben. She shouldn't have broken upwith him.
(must not or should not) break up
6. When I was young, everyone thought I was a great singer. But I decided to become a lawyer instead. Looking back, I may have decidedthink I on the wrong career.
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