English grammar
Was going to — a plan that didn't happen
Say what you were going to do, and that you changed your mind.
From the scene I was going to call, but…
In short
Use was or were going to + verb for a past plan that didn't happen: I was going to call.
Your turn
Which one goes with another past plan?
Options: I was going to call (NOT "I went to call") · but in the end, I didn't · I was going to look for the phone
Show answer
another past plan → I was going to look for the phone
How it works
Was/were going to + verb is a plan in the past that often didn't happen: I was going to call, but I fell asleep.
Good to know
Don't say "I went to call": that means you really went somewhere. For a plan now, use am/is/are going to: Are you going to call today?
a plan in the past I was going to call (NOT "I went to call")
Ramón
I was going to call. But in the end, I didn't.
Iba a llamar. Pero al final, no.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank). But in the end, I didn't.
Options: I was going to look for the phone · I changed my mind · I was going to call
Show answer
Ramón
I was going to call. But in the end, I didn't.
Iba a llamar. Pero al final, no.
another past plan I was going to look for the phone
Ramón
I was going to look for the phone... but I fell asleep.
Iba a buscar el teléfono... pero me dormí.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank)... but I fell asleep.
Options: I was going to look for the phone · I was going to call · But in the end, I didn't
Show answer
Ramón
I was going to look for the phone... but I fell asleep.
Iba a buscar el teléfono... pero me dormí.
it didn't happen but in the end, I didn't
Ramón
I was going to call. But in the end, I didn't.
Iba a llamar. Pero al final, no.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
I was going to call. (blank).
Options: I was going to look for the phone · I changed my mind · But in the end, I didn't
Show answer
Ramón
I was going to call. But in the end, I didn't.
Iba a llamar. Pero al final, no.
a new decision I changed my mind
Nuria
I was going to call too, but I changed my mind.
Yo también iba a llamar, pero cambié de idea.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
I was going to call too, but (blank).
Options: I changed my mind · I was going to look for the phone · But in the end
Show answer
Nuria
I was going to call too, but I changed my mind.
Yo también iba a llamar, pero cambié de idea.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| a plan in the past | I was going to call (NOT "I went to call") |
|---|---|
| another past plan | I was going to look for the phone |
| it didn't happen | but in the end, I didn't |
| a new decision | I changed my mind |
More lines from the story
- RamónI was going to call this morning, but there was football on TV.Iba a llamar esta mañana, pero había fútbol en la tele.
- RamónOf course not. That's what Doña Elena is for!Claro que no. ¡Para eso está Doña Elena!
- NuriaDon Ramón, did you call the police?Don Ramón, ¿llamó usted a la policía?