I was going to

USAGE SUMMARY

"I was going to" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used when talking about plans or intentions that did not happen or were changed. Example: "I was going to go to the store, but it started raining so I stayed home instead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was going to learn".

The New York Times

"I was going to semiretire.

The New York Times

I was going to fly.

The New Yorker

I was going to scream.

The New York Times

I was going to go see him.

The New Yorker

I was going to tell you.

The New Yorker

"I was going to kill myself".

The New Yorker

"I thought I was going to retire".

Independent

"I was going to say something.

The New York Times

"I knew I was going to die.

The New Yorker

I was going to be a scientist.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was going to" to indicate an intention or plan that was not fulfilled. It's useful for explaining changes in plans or unrealized goals.

Common error

Avoid mixing tenses illogically after "I was going to". Ensure the following verb aligns with the past context, for example, "I was going to call you, but I forgot", not "I was going to called you".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was going to" functions as a verbal phrase introducing an action that was intended or planned but did not ultimately occur. It sets the stage for an unfulfilled intention, as illustrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was going to" is a very common and grammatically sound phrase used to express intentions or plans that were not realized. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and prevalence in various contexts, particularly in news and media. The phrase sets the stage for explaining changes in plans or unfulfilled actions. To diversify your writing, consider alternatives such as "I intended to" or "I had planned to". When using the phrase, ensure the following verb maintains grammatical consistency, aligning with the past context. Be careful to use "I was going to go" rather than "I was going to went".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I intended to

Replaces the continuous form with a simple past tense of "intend", suggesting a planned action.

I had planned to

Emphasizes the planning stage, highlighting that arrangements were made.

I was planning on

Uses "planning on" instead of "going to", implying preparation for an event.

I meant to

Indicates a purpose or intention, often implying a failure to act.

I had every intention of

Strengthens the expression of intent, suggesting a strong desire to act.

My intention was to

Formalizes the expression of intent, using a noun-based structure.

I was about to

Indicates that an action was on the verge of starting.

I set out to

Emphasizes the initiation of an action with a specific goal.

I aimed to

Suggests a target or goal that was intended to be achieved.

I purposed to

A more formal and less common way to express a determined intention.

FAQs

How can I use "I was going to" in a sentence?

Use "I was going to" to express an intention or plan that was not carried out, like "I was going to go to the party, but I got sick".

What's a more formal way to say "I was going to"?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "I intended to" or "My intention was to".

Is it correct to say "I was going to went"?

No, "I was going to went" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "I was going to go", using the base form of the verb after "to".

What's the difference between "I was going to" and "I am going to"?

"I was going to" refers to a past intention that didn't happen, while "I am going to" expresses a present intention or future plan.