I was going to study

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was going to study" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express an intention or plan that you had in the past regarding studying. Example: "I was going to study for the exam, but I got distracted by my friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Initially, I was going to study English at University College of London.

Cornell University

I was able to escape to Russia under the pretext that I was going to study.

The Guardian

I was going to study at Rada or Guildhall or nothing.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I came to it thinking I was going to study a disorder.

The Guardian - Books

And if I was going to study this thing I wanted to go there with a real hard-ass.

The New Yorker

"I felt happy because I thought I was going to study in Kathmandu and I trusted the Chinese people".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

I'm going to study it.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I'm going to study as much as I can.

The New Yorker

I'm going to study languages reading these".

The New York Times

"Once I get to college, I'm going to study all the time".

The New Yorker

"I want you to know that I'm going to study this," Mr. Immelt told Mr. Roberts.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was going to study" to clearly express a past intention that may or may not have been fulfilled. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "I was going to study" when you mean to express a current or future intention. The past tense form indicates an intention from the past, not a present one. Use "I am going to study" for present or future plans.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "I was going to study" is to express a past intention or plan that may or may not have been fulfilled. This phrase indicates what the speaker intended to do at some point in the past, as seen in Ludwig's examples where individuals changed their minds or faced unforeseen circumstances.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

29%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

4%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I was going to study" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a past intention related to academic pursuits. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently used in news articles, academic papers, and everyday conversations to describe plans that may or may not have come to fruition. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the past tense aligns with the intended meaning, avoiding confusion with present or future plans. Alternatives like "I intended to study" or "I planned to study" can provide subtle variations in emphasis, while still conveying the core idea of a past intention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I intended to study

Emphasizes the intention to study, focusing on the mental resolve.

I planned to study

Highlights the planning aspect of studying, suggesting a more structured approach.

I had been planning to study

Implies a plan that existed over a period of time before something changed.

I was considering studying

Indicates that the idea of studying was under consideration, but not necessarily decided upon.

I thought I would study

Expresses a past thought or expectation of studying, which may or may not have materialized.

I had every intention of studying

Strengthens the commitment to study, emphasizing the strong desire.

My intention was to study

Highlights the intention as a primary goal or aim.

I aimed to study

Focuses on the aim or goal of studying, often suggesting a specific target or objective.

I set out to study

Emphasizes the initial action or effort taken to begin studying.

I had it in mind to study

Indicates a preliminary idea or thought of studying, often less firm than a plan.

FAQs

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

Use "I was going to study" to describe a past intention that may not have been realized. For example, "I was going to study medicine, but I changed my mind and pursued art instead."

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

"I was going to study" indicates an intention or plan that didn't necessarily happen. "I studied", on the other hand, confirms that the action of studying actually took place.

What can I say instead of "I was going to study"?

You can use alternatives like "I intended to study", "I planned to study", or "I was considering studying", depending on the context.

Is "I was going to studied" grammatically correct?

No, "I was going to studied" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "I was going to study", where "study" is the base form of the verb.