El futuro en el pasado
Para hablar de algo que era futuro desde un punto del pasado, las formas de futuro retroceden: will → would, am going to → was going to, como en español iba a, vendría.
| forma | uso | ejemplo |
|---|---|---|
| would | predicción, promesa, estilo indirecto | I knew she would love it. |
| was / were going to | plan o intención, a menudo no cumplido | We were going to call, but we forgot. |
| was / were -ing | plan fijo | He was nervous: he was flying the next day. |
| was / were about to | algo inminente | I was about to leave when the phone rang. |
Notas
- Muy frecuente en estilo indirecto: She said she would help.
- was going to suele indicar un plan cambiado: I was going to study, but I watched a film instead.
- was to (formal) = estaba previsto o destinado: He was to become president.
Ejemplos
- I thought it would be easier.Pensaba que sería más fácil.
- They were going to get married in June.Se iban a casar en junio.
- She told me she was leaving on Friday.Me dijo que se iba el viernes.
- We were about to give up when we found it.Estábamos a punto de rendirnos cuando lo encontramos.
- I didn’t know she would be there.No sabía que ella estaría allí.
Errores comunes
- ✗ He said he will come.✓ He said he would come.Tras un verbo en pasado will retrocede a would, igual que el condicional español vendría.
- ✗ I thought it will rain.✓ I thought it would rain.Tras un verbo en pasado como thought, el futuro will retrocede a would.
- ✗ They said they can come.✓ They said they could come.Tras un verbo en pasado can retrocede a could.
- ✗ I was going to calling you.✓ I was going to call you.Tras going to va la forma base del verbo y no la forma en -ing.
- ✗ She said she will have finished.✓ She said she would have finished.Tras un verbo en pasado will have se transforma en would have.