i was planning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was planning" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you had an intention or idea to do something, but may not have carried it out. For example: "I was planning to go to the store, but I was too tired."

✓ 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

Use "I was planning" to clearly express intentions that may or may not have been realized. This can soften statements when explaining why something didn't happen.

Common error

Avoid using "I was planning" to describe current or ongoing plans. This phrase is best suited for discussing past intentions. Use present continuous tenses (e.g., "I am planning") for current plans.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was planning" functions as a declarative statement expressing a past intention or projected action. It indicates a prior plan that existed in the speaker's mind, irrespective of whether the plan was executed. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely used and grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was planning" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to express past intentions, whether realized or not. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across various contexts. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, it's particularly prevalent in News & Media sources but also appears in business and personal contexts. When writing, ensure you use it to refer to past intentions and consider alternatives like "I intended to" or "my plan was to" depending on the level of formality and emphasis you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

My plan was to

Directly states the intended course of action.

I was going to

Indicates a future action that was anticipated, often informally.

I intended to

Emphasizes intention without necessarily implying detailed planning; less specific.

I had intended to

Similar to 'I intended to', but adds a sense of something not happening as planned.

I had in mind to

Highlights a thought-out intention, though potentially less formalized.

I had made arrangements to

Focuses on the preparatory steps taken for a planned event.

I envisioned

Highlights a mental image or concept of a future event.

I set out to

Implies an active attempt to achieve a goal that was pre-planned.

I foresaw

Suggests anticipating a future event, often with a degree of certainty.

I contemplated

Implies thinking seriously about a potential course of action.

FAQs

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

Use "I was planning" to describe a past intention, like "I was planning to go to the party, but I got sick."

What's a more formal alternative to "I was planning"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases such as "I had intended to" or "My intention was to".

Is it correct to say "I was planning" if I didn't follow through with the plan?

Yes, "I was planning" implies an intention that might not have been realized. It's suitable whether you followed through or not.

What is the difference between "I am planning" and "I was planning"?

"I am planning" indicates a current plan, while "I was planning" refers to a past intention. For example, "I am planning a trip" (current) vs. "I was planning a trip, but it got cancelled" (past).