Was going to...
Subject + past form verb 'be' + going to + present tense verb phrase
-
wanted or intended to do the verb
-
verb did not / will not happen
Explain
Past
Now
Future
have a meeting
I was going to have a meeting.
​
I was going to have a meeting with David.
-
wanted or intended to have a meeting
-
it did not happen
Past
Now
Future
watch a film
We were going to watch a film.
​
We were going to watch a film tonight.
-
wanted or intended to watch a film
-
it will not happen
Past
go on a cruise
Now
Future
My parents were going to go on a cruise.
​
My parents were going to go on a cruise for two weeks last month.
-
wanted or intended to go on a cruise
-
it did not happen
Past
Now
move to France
Future
Helen was going to move to France.
​
Helen was going to move to France for work.
-
wanted or intended to move to France
-
it will not happen
Adding a reason why the action did not / will not happen
We use 'but' to add the reason.
Subject + past form verb 'be' + going to + verb phrase + but + reason
I was going to have a meeting with David but he was ill.
​
We were going to watch a film tonight but there's nothing good on television.
​
My parents were going to go on a cruise for two weeks last month but it was cancelled.
​
Helen was going to move to France for work but her company changed their mind.
The tense of the 'reason' depends on when the plans changed.
Past
Now
Future
company changed their mind
move to France
Helen was going to move to France for work but her company changed their mind.
there's nothing good on television
Past
Now
Future
watch a film
We were going to watch a film tonight but there's nothing good on television.
Vocabulary
Long piece of fiction writing.
Short piece of non-fiction writing. Usually in a magazine.
A person / animal etc in a piece of fiction writing.
Long piece of fiction writing.
Verbs
About
We use 'about' to say what the subject of something is. For example:
This book is about Picasso.
This book is about cocktails.
Penny Lane is about a road in Liverpool.
The Simpsons is a comedy about a family living in America.
​
Tom & Jerry is a cartoon about a mouse and a cat fighting.
Practice
Past
Now
Future
write a novel
I was going to write a novel.
can't think of a good story
Past
Now
Future
write a novel
I was going to write a novel but can't think of a good story.
Past
Now
Future
write an article about computers
He was going to write an article about computers.
Answer - He
Past
Now
Future
write a play
They were going to write a play.
Answer - They
changed their mind
Past
write a play
Now
Future
They were going to write a play but changed their mind.
Answer - They
Past
Now
Future
write a novel
I was going to write a novel.
Answer - I
couldn't think of a good character
Past
Now
Future
write a novel
I was going to write a novel but couldn't think of a good character.
Answer - I
Past
Now
Future
write some music for a wedding
My music teacher was going to write some music for a wedding.
Answer - My music teacher
didn't have the time
Past
Now
Future
write some music for a wedding
My music teacher was going to write some music for a wedding but they didn't have the time.
Answer - My music teacher
Past
Now
Future
write a fiction book
I was going to write a fiction book.
Answer - I
now I'm going to write a non-fiction book
Past
Now
Future
write a fiction book
I was going to write a fiction book but now I'm going to write a non-fiction book.
Answer - I
Was going to - negative
Subject + past form verb 'be' + not going to + present form verb phrase
Past
Now
Future
have a meeting
I was not going to have a meeting.
​
I wasn't going to have a meeting with David.
-
did not want or intend to have a meeting
Past
Now
Future
have a meeting
I was not going to have a meeting but I did.
​
I wasn't going to have a meeting with David but I did.
-
did not want or intend to have a meeting
-
it happened
Conversations
A: Did you write that article about theme parks?
B: I wasn't going to write an article about theme parks. I was going to write about rollercoasters.
A: When will it be done?
B: I'm going to write it tomorrow.
A: Are you going to see Gemma tomorrow?
B: I wasn't going to see her tomorrow.
A: I thought you said you were.
B: No, it's next week I'm seeing her.
A: Do you think I should buy new shoes? I wasn't going to but think I need new ones.
B: Yeah, you should. They are quite old.
Was going to - Questions(?)
Past form verb 'be' + subject + going to + present form verb phrase
Past
Now
Future
have a meeting
Were you going to have a meeting?
​
Were you going to have a meeting with David?
-
asks about a wanted or intended meeting
-
it did not happen
Past
Now
Future
move to Rome
Was your brother going to move to Rome?
​
Was your brother going to move to Rome next year?
-
asks about a wanted or intended move
-
it will not happen
Conversations
A: I was going to write a screenplay but couldn't think of an interesting story.
B: Were you going to write a screenplay? I didn't know that.
A: I was going to write a book but changed my mind.
A: Were you going to go on holiday this year?
B: We were but we cancelled it.
A: Oh no. Why?
B: My husband needed to work.