French grammar
J'allais + infinitif
Say what you were going to do, and that you changed your mind.
From the scene J'allais appeler, mais... (I was going to call, but…)
In short
A plan that didn't happen: j'allais + infinitive (I was going to). J'allais appeler, mais finalement, non.
- I was going to call j'allais appeler
- I was going to look for j'allais chercher
- but in the end, no mais finalement, non
- I changed my mind j'ai changé d'avis
Your turn
Which one goes with I was going to look for?
Options: mais finalement, non · j'allais chercher · j'allais appeler
Show answer
I was going to look for → j'allais chercher
How it works
To say what you were planning to do (and then didn't), use the imparfait of aller + infinitive: j'allais appeler (I was going to call).
Good to know
Mais finalement, non or j'ai changé d'avis says what really happened.
Good to know
If it did, just use the passé composé (j'ai appelé).
I was going to call j'allais appeler
Ramón
J'allais appeler. Mais finalement, non.
I was going to call. But in the end, no.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank). Mais finalement, non.
Options: J'ai changé d'avis · J'allais appeler · J'allais chercher
Show answer
Ramón
J'allais appeler. Mais finalement, non.
I was going to call. But in the end, no.
I was going to look for j'allais chercher
Ramón
J'allais chercher le téléphone... mais je me suis endormi.
I was going to look for the phone... but I fell asleep.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) le téléphone... mais je me suis endormi.
Options: Mais finalement · J'allais chercher · J'allais appeler
Show answer
Ramón
J'allais chercher le téléphone... mais je me suis endormi.
I was going to look for the phone... but I fell asleep.
but in the end, no mais finalement, non
Ramón
Bien sûr que non. Madame Elena est là pour ça !
Of course not. That's what Madame Elena is for!
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Bien sûr que (blank). Madame Elena est là pour ça !
Options: j'allais appeler · j'allais chercher · non
Show answer
Ramón
Bien sûr que non. Madame Elena est là pour ça !
Of course not. That's what Madame Elena is for!
I changed my mind j'ai changé d'avis
Nuria
Moi aussi, j'allais appeler, mais j'ai changé d'avis.
I was going to call too, but I changed my mind.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Moi aussi, j'allais appeler, mais (blank).
Options: j'allais chercher · mais finalement, non · j'ai changé d'avis
Show answer
Nuria
Moi aussi, j'allais appeler, mais j'ai changé d'avis.
I was going to call too, but I changed my mind.
Watch out
J'allais usually means the plan didn't happen.
Common mistake
Not Je vais or J'ai allé here. A plan in the past that didn't happen.
J'allais appeler. Mais finalement, non.
I was going to call. But in the end, no.
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
| I was going to call | j'allais appeler |
|---|---|
| I was going to look for | j'allais chercher |
| but in the end, no | mais finalement, non |
| I changed my mind | j'ai changé d'avis |
More lines from the story
- RamónJ'allais appeler ce matin, mais il y avait du foot.I was going to call this morning, but there was football on.
- NuriaAlors, et maintenant ? Vous allez appeler aujourd'hui ?So now what? Are you going to call today?