Unfulfilled past Events
These describe events intended to take place, but which did not happen.
I was going to phone you, but I forgot. I was thinking of going to Italy this year, but I haven't decided. I was about to do it, but I started doing something else. Jack was to have taken part, but he fell ill.
The contrasting past event is often understood, but not stated.
How are you? I was going to phone you ... (but I didn't). Polite forms These are common with
wonder. I was wondering if you wanted to come to the cinema. Handout 1 Underline the correct word or phrase in each sentence. a) When you passed the town hall clock,
did you notice/were you noticing what
time it was?
b) Last night my neighbours
were shouting/would shout for hours and I couldn't
get to sleep.
c) When you lived in London,
did you use to travel/were you travelling by bus?
d) Everyone was having a good time, although not many people
danced/were dancing. e) Jill was really hungry because she
didn't eat/hadn't eaten all day.
f) Before we went to the theatre, we
called in/had called in at George's cafe for a
pizza.
g) It took a while for me to notice, but then I did. Everyone
stared/was staring at
me. What had I done wrong?
h) Nobody bothered to tell me that the school
decided/had decided to have a
special holiday on Friday.
i) I
was trying/tried to get in touch with you all day yesterday. Where were you?
j) A: Excuse me, but this seat is mine.
B: I'm sorry, I
didn't realise/hadn't realised that you were sitting here.
