I was planning

USAGE SUMMARY

"I was planning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you are talking about something that you intended or had been thinking about doing in the past. For example: "I was planning on taking the train to work today, but then my car wouldn't start."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I was planning on winning".

The New York Times - Sports

I was planning to live there forever.

The New Yorker

I was planning to call myself Gifford.

Independent

I was planning an afternoon of digestion.

The Guardian - Sport

I was planning and organizing everything.

The New York Times - Sports

I was planning to wake up anyway.

The Guardian

"I was planning on being back here.

The New York Times - Sports

I was planning to sleep in my stepson's apartment.

The New Yorker

It was 4 A.M. I was planning to leave.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

I'm planning hard.

Independent

I'm planning trips.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I was planning", ensure the context clearly indicates whether the plan was carried out, altered, or abandoned. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "I was planning" without providing sufficient information about the outcome of the plan. If the plan changed, explain why to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was planning" functions as a declarative statement expressing a past intention or a projected course of action that was under consideration. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, providing numerous examples where the phrase appears to introduce an intended activity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

17%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Science

4%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was planning" is a grammatically sound and versatile way to express past intentions. According to Ludwig AI, its use is considered correct in written English, denoting something one intended or thought about doing. With a neutral register, it appears frequently across diverse sources, particularly in news and media. To ensure clarity, it's essential to provide context about the plan's outcome, whether it was realized, changed, or abandoned. This approach prevents ambiguity and enhances communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I had planned to

Emphasizes the completed planning stage before an intended action.

I was going to

A more informal way of expressing a past plan or intention.

I intended to

Focuses on the intent behind an action, similar to "I was planning" but emphasizes the decision.

I had intended to

Similar to "I intended to", but with a stronger emphasis on a past intention.

My intention was to

Formally states the purpose or aim behind a planned action.

I anticipated

Highlights the expectation of something happening and preparing for it.

I had in mind

Expresses a preliminary idea or intention.

I envisioned

Focuses on the mental image or expectation of a future event.

I contemplated

Focuses on the act of considering or thinking about a future action.

I foresaw

Implies anticipating a future event and making plans accordingly.

FAQs

How can I use "I was planning" in a sentence?

You can use "I was planning" to describe something you intended to do in the past. For example, "I was planning to go to the beach, but it rained".

What's the difference between "I was planning" and "I had planned"?

"I was planning" implies a continuous action or state of mind in the past, while "I had planned" suggests a completed plan at a point in the past.

What can I say instead of "I was planning to"?

You can use alternatives like "I intended to", "I was going to", or "I had intended to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I am planning" instead of "I was planning"?

The correct tense depends on the context. "I am planning" refers to a current or future plan, while "I was planning" refers to a past plan.