Future in the Past: A Step-by-Step Guide (Rules, Examples, Stories, Practice)
Today we're going to learn about something interesting – how to talk about future events from a past perspective. Don't worry if this confusing sounds, because we'll break it down step by step with lots of examples.
What Is Future in the Past?
Imagine you're telling a story about something that happened in the past, and within that story, you need to talk about something that was going to happen later. That's when we use future in the past!
For example:
- That moment, I was worried the vase would fall and break!
- Yesterday, I told my friend I would visit her today.
- Last week, she said she would be studying all weekend.
1. Simple Future in the Past (Would + Base Verb)
This is the most basic form. We use it to talk about a future action from a past perspective.
Structure: would + base verb
Examples:
- ✅ I told him I would help. (❌ NOT: I told him I will help.)
- ✅ She said she would leave in an hour. (❌ NOT: She said she will leave in an hour.)
- ✅ They knew they would finish soon. (❌ NOT: They knew they will finish soon.)
Negative form:
- I said I would not (wouldn't) go to the party.
- He told me he wouldn't be able to come.
- We knew we wouldn't succeed without more practice.
Questions:
- Did you think you would pass the exam?
- When did she say she would arrive?
- Did Bob say he wouldn't join us?
Focus Story: Simple Future in the Past
When Sarah Left for College
Last summer, Sarah was extremely nervous about starting college.
She told her best friend Sophia that she would miss their hometown terribly, and she wouldn't make new friends easily. Sophia listened patiently and assured Sarah that she would visit her at college whenever possible.
That night, Sarah couldn't sleep because she thought college would be too difficult.
As it turned out, Sarah's worries were unnecessary. On her first day, she met her roommate Jessica, who said she would show Sarah around campus.
Jessica also mentioned that she would introduce Sarah to her study group, which made Sarah feel much better. Sarah immediately called Sophia and told her she would have a great time at college after all.
Your Turn: Simple Future in the Past Practice
Complete the story with the correct future in the past forms:
Last summer, Sarah was extremely nervous about starting college. She told her best friend Sophia that she _________________ (miss) their hometown terribly, and she _________________ (not/make) new friends easily. Sophia listened patiently and assured Sarah that she _________________ (visit) her at college whenever possible. That night, Sarah couldn't sleep because she thought college _________________ (be) too difficult. As it turned out, Sarah's worries were unnecessary. On her first day, she met her roommate Jessica, who said she _________________ (show) Sarah around campus. Jessica also mentioned that she _________________ (introduce) Sarah to her study group, which made Sarah feel much better. Sarah immediately called Sophia and told her she _________________ (have) a great time at college after all.
2. Future Progressive in the Past (Would Be + -ing)
We use this verb form to talk about an action that would be in progress at a future time from a past perspective.
Structure: would be + verb-ing
Examples:
- I knew I would be working all day long.
- She said she would be sleeping at that time.
- They told us they would be traveling next week.
Negative form:
- He said he wouldn't be attending the meeting.
- I knew I wouldn't be studying tonight.
- They mentioned they wouldn't be staying for dinner.
Questions:
- Did she say she would be coming to the party?
- What time would they be arriving?
- Where would you be waiting for us?
Focus Story: Future Progressive in the Past
A Friend's Support
Tim was nervous about speaking in front of his class.
He told his best friend Sam that he would be talking about his summer vacation the next day. Sam listened as Tim explained that his voice would be shaking and he would be standing there like a statue.
Sam promised that he would be sitting in the front row to support his friend, and added that he would be giving thumbs up the whole time.
That night, Tim texted Sam saying that he couldn't sleep because everyone would be watching him, and his legs would be trembling during the whole presentation. He was convinced that he would be forgetting all his words and would be staring at the floor the entire time. Sam replied with two thumbs up emojis.
The next morning, Tim walked to the front of the class with his notes. Sam was already sitting in the front row, both hands ready.
Tim wanted to start his speech, but when he opened his mouth to speak, he saw Sam giving him thumbs up with both hands so quickly that other students began laughing.
Tim couldn't help laughing too and announced to the class that instead of his vacation story, he would be telling them about his super human friend Sam and his amazing super-speed thumbs. Even the teacher was laughing now!
Your Turn: Future Progressive in the Past Practice
Tim was nervous about speaking in front of his class. He told his best friend Sam that he _________________ (talk) about his summer vacation the next day. Sam listened as Tim explained that his voice _________________ (shake) and he _________________ (stand) there like a statue. Sam promised that he _________________ (sit) in the front row to support his friend, and added that he _________________ (give) thumbs up the whole time. That night, Tim texted Sam saying that he couldn't sleep because everyone _________________ (watch) him, and his legs _________________ (tremble) during the whole presentation. He was convinced that he _________________ (forget) all his words and _________________ (stare) at the floor the entire time. Sam replied with two thumbs up emojis. The next morning, Tim walked to the front of the class with his notes. Sam was already sitting in the front row, both hands ready. Tim wanted to start his speech, but when he opened his mouth to speak, he saw Sam giving him thumbs up with both hands so quickly that other students began laughing. Tim couldn't help laughing too and announced to the class that instead of his vacation story, he _________________ (tell) them about his super human friend Sam and his amazing super-speed thumbs. Even the teacher was laughing now!
3. Future Perfect in the Past (Would Have + Past Participle)
We use this to talk about an action that would be completed by a certain time in the future, viewed from the past.
Click here for a for full lesson on English participles (present participle and past participle).
Structure: would have + past participle
Examples:
- I thought I would have finished by then.
- She said she would have completed the work by last Monday.
- They promised they would have built the house by summer 1999.
Negative form:
- I knew I would not have saved enough money by then.
- He said he wouldn't have prepared everything in time.
- She was sure she wouldn't have learned all the words by the exam.
Questions:
- Would you have finished the report by the deadline?
- When did she say she would have moved out?
- How much would they have spent by the end of the month?
Focus Story: Future Perfect in the Past
Max's Wedding Promise
Max was very excited about his sister's wedding next month. He told everyone he would have learned to dance by the big day.
His mother laughed when he said he would have mastered all the dance moves by watching YouTube videos, and his father smiled when Max claimed he would have become as good as a professional dancer. His sister was worried that Max would have practiced only modern dances, so she asked him to take proper dancing lessons too.
The wedding day arrived, and Max was confident. He had told the DJ weeks ago he would have memorized every song by heart, and so he did!
Just as the music started for the traditional family dance, Max realized something – he had learned all the right moves, but he had practiced them all while wearing his regular shoes. Now, wearing his new, extra-shiny wedding shoes, he kept sliding across the dance floor like a penguin on ice! He couldn't even stop...
Everyone was watching Max as he "skated" through the dance floor, laughing and cheering so much that it became a new wedding tradition: The Penguin Slide!
Your Turn: Future Perfect in the Past Practice
Max was very excited about his sister's wedding next month. He told everyone he _________________ (learn) to dance by the big day. His mother laughed when he said he _________________ (master) all the dance moves by watching YouTube videos, and his father smiled when Max claimed he _________________ (become) as good as a professional dancer. His sister Jenny was worried that Max _________________ (practice) only modern dances, so she asked him to take proper dancing lessons. The wedding day arrived, and Max was confident. He had told the DJ weeks ago he _________________ (memorize) every song by heart, and so he did! Just as the music started for the traditional family dance, Max realized something - he had learned all the right moves, but he had practiced them all while wearing his regular shoes. Now, wearing his new, extra-shiny wedding shoes, he kept sliding across the dance floor like a penguin on ice! He couldn't even stop... Everyone was watching Max as he 'skated' through the dance floor, laughing and cheering so much that it became a new wedding tradition: The Penguin Slide!
4. Future Perfect Progressive in the Past (Would Have Been + -ing)
This is the most complex form. We use it to talk about an action that would be in progress for a period of time before a point in the future, viewed from the past.
Structure: would have been + verb-ing
Examples:
- By June, I would have been working here for five years.
- She said she would have been studying English for two years by then.
- They knew that by 2014 they would have been living together for a decade.
Negative form:
- I wouldn't have been working there that long.
- He said he wouldn't have been waiting for more than an hour.
- We knew we wouldn't have been practicing enough before the competition.
Questions:
- How long would you have been teaching by then?
- Would they have been living there for three years?
- What would you have been doing all this time?
Focus Story: Future Perfect Progressive in the Past
Tom's Secret Recipe
Tom was so proud of his garden. When he invited his neighbors to his summer garden party, he told them that by July, he would have been growing his special tomatoes for six months.
His wife smiled as he explained that he would have been watering them three times a day, and would have been following a secret growing recipe from his grandfather. He even said he would have been preparing his special tomato sauce all morning for this party!
The day of the garden party arrived, and Tom was excited to show everyone his tomatoes. As the guests gathered around his garden, Tom noticed something strange – what he thought would have been growing as tomatoes all this time turned out to be strawberries! Oh no!
His wife tried to sympathize, but she couldn't stop giggling. "Good thing you realized now – by next month, you would have been giving lectures about tomato growing at the garden club!"
The party was a huge success anyway – everyone agreed that Tom's 'special tomato sauce' tasted amazing with ice cream!
Your Turn: Future Perfect Progressive in the Past Practice
Tom was so proud of his garden. When he invited his neighbors to his summer garden party, he told them that by July, he _________________ (grow) his special tomatoes for six months. His wife smiled as he explained that he _________________ (water) them three times a day, and _________________ (follow) a secret growing recipe from his grandfather. He even said he _________________ (prepare) his special tomato sauce all morning for this party! The day of the garden party arrived, and Tom was excited to show everyone his tomatoes. As the guests gathered around his garden, Tom noticed something strange – what he thought _________________ (grow) as tomatoes all this time turned out to be strawberries! Oh no! His wife tried to sympathize, but she couldn't stop giggling. "Good thing you realized now - by next month, you _________________ (give) lectures about tomato growing at the garden club!" The party was a huge success anyway – everyone agreed that Tom's 'special tomato sauce' tasted amazing with ice cream!
5. Was/Were Going To
This is another common way to express future in the past. We use it when talking about plans or intentions in the past.
Structure: was/were + going to + base verb
Correct vs. Incorrect Usage:
- Incorrect: ❌ She told me she is going to move next week.
- Correct: ✅ She told me she was going to move next week.
- Incorrect: ❌ They said they are going to start a business.
- Correct: ✅ They said they were going to start a business.
- Incorrect: ❌ I knew he is going to fail the test.
- Correct: ✅ I knew he was going to fail the test.
Examples:
- I was going to call you yesterday, but my phone died.
- They were going to visit Paris, but their flight was cancelled.
- She was going to study medicine before she discovered her passion for art.
Negative form:
- I wasn't going to attend the party, but my friends convinced me.
- They weren't going to buy the house until they saw the garden.
- He wasn't going to tell anyone about the surprise.
Questions:
- Were you going to join us for dinner?
- What was she going to do about the problem?
- Were they going to move to London?
Focus Story: Was/Were + Going To
The Silent Birthday Party
Jenny was going to have the perfect birthday celebration this year.
She was going to invite all her friends to a karaoke party, and they were going to sing until midnight. Her best friend Sarah was going to bake a special chocolate cake, and her brother was going to decorate the living room with balloons and lights. Everything was planned perfectly!
But on the morning of her birthday, Jenny woke up with no voice – she couldn't speak at all! Her friends came over anyway, even though they weren't going to do karaoke anymore.
Sarah brought the cake she was going to decorate with musical notes (she used birthday candles instead).
And luckily, Jenny's brother, who was going to be the karaoke DJ, turned out to be a pretty good charades master.
In the end, it became a hilarious game night with everyone acting out their favorite songs instead of singing them. Since Jenny still couldn't speak, she kept using her phone to communicate, which made the charades even funnier.
By the end of the night, her last message to the group chat read: "This was way better than the party I was going to have…"
Everyone agreed – sometimes the best parties are the ones that don't go as planned!
Your Turn: was/were + going to Practice
Jenny _________________ (have) the perfect birthday celebration this year. She _________________ (invite) all her friends to a karaoke party, and they _________________ (sing) until midnight. Her best friend Sarah _________________ (bake) a special chocolate cake, and her brother _________________ (decorate) the living room with balloons and lights. Everything was planned perfectly! But on the morning of her birthday, Jenny woke up with no voice - she couldn't speak at all! Her friends came over anyway, even though they _________________ (not/do) karaoke anymore. Sarah brought the cake she _________________ (decorate) with musical notes (she used birthday candles instead). And luckily, Jenny's brother, who _________________ (be) the karaoke DJ, turned out to be a pretty good charades master. In the end, it became a hilarious game night with everyone acting out their favorite songs instead of singing them. Since Jenny still couldn't speak, she kept using her phone to communicate, which made the charades even funnier. By the end of the night, her last message to the group chat read: "This was way better than the party I _________________ (have)..." Everyone agreed – sometimes the best parties are the ones that don't go as planned!
Time Expressions and Key Words
When using future in the past verb forms, certain time expressions help make the meaning clear. Here are the most common ones:
General Time References:
- Later that day/week/month/year
Example: He said he would visit later that week. - The next day/week/month/year
Example: I knew she would be working the next day. - The following day/week/month
Example: They said they would have finished by the following week.
Specific Time Points:
- By + time
Example: She said she would have been studying by then. - In + time period
Example: He told me he would leave in three days. - After + time/event
Example: They were going to move after the wedding.
Important Notes:
- We use these verb forms when reporting what someone said or thought about the future from a past perspective.
- It doesn't matter if the action actually happened or not – we're just reporting the intention or idea.
- These forms often appear in reported speech when the main verb is in the past tense.
- The key modal verb "would" plays a central role in these constructions. Click here for our complete series on English modal verbs.
Summary
Remember:
Simple future in the past → would + verb
Example: She said she would call me back, but I'm still waiting.
(Here, the action was expected to happen in the future from a past perspective.)
Future progressive (continuous) in the past → would be + verb-ing
Example: He told me he would be working all day, so I shouldn't disturb him.
(This shows an ongoing action that was supposed to happen in the future, viewed from the past.)
Future perfect in the past → would have + past participle
Example: They promised they would have finished the project by last week, but they didn't.
(This shows an action that was expected to be completed by a certain time in the future, from a past perspective.)
Future perfect progressive (continuous) in the past → would have been + verb-ing
Example: She knew she would have been traveling for three days by the time we met.
(This shows a planned action that was expected to continue over a period of time.)
Was/Were going to → was/were going to + verb
Example: She was going to visit her parents last weekend, but she couldn't make it.
(This shows an intention or plan that existed in the past but didn't happen or got interrupted.)
