they were going to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were going to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an intention or plan that was made in the past but may not have been fulfilled. Example: "They were going to attend the meeting, but something came up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They were going to see.

The New Yorker

They were going to practice.

The New York Times - Magazine

They were going to bars.

The New York Times

They were going to work.

The New Yorker

"They were going to get him.

The New Yorker

They were going to 42nd Street.

The New York Times

They were going to smoke dope.

The New Yorker

They were going to hate you anyway.

The New York Times

They were going to supplement.

The New York Times - Sports

They were going to attack.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"They were going to end it," Dickerson recalls.

Duke University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were going to" to describe actions or events that were planned or intended in the past, even if they did not ultimately occur. This phrasing provides context and sets expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "they were going to" when describing events that are currently happening. It is meant for actions that were planned in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were going to" functions as a verb phrase expressing past intentions or planned future actions. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used, indicating its acceptance in standard English. The examples provided by Ludwig show varied contexts where this phrase is utilized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were going to" is a grammatically sound and highly prevalent construction used to articulate past intentions or planned future events. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is well-accepted in standard English and frequently found in various news and media sources. While its register remains neutral, its versatility allows usage across diverse contexts. For alternative phrasing, consider options such as "they intended to" or "they planned to" to convey similar meanings, ensuring accuracy in tense and avoiding inappropriate application to ongoing events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they intended to

Expresses a formal intention with a similar past-oriented meaning.

they planned to

Indicates a planned action, synonymous but slightly less common.

they were about to

Suggests an action very close to happening, creating a sense of immediacy.

they had decided to

Emphasizes the decision-making process before the action.

they aimed to

Focuses on the goal or objective they were trying to achieve.

they were scheduled to

Highlights that the action was part of an agenda or schedule.

they were supposed to

Indicates an expectation or obligation to perform an action.

it was their intention to

Formal way to express a prior intention or plan.

it was their plan to

Synonymous to "they planned to", but with a formal tone.

they had every expectation of

Suggests a firm belief that something was going to happen.

FAQs

How can I use "they were going to" in a sentence?

Use "they were going to" to describe a past intention or plan, like "they were going to travel to Europe, but their plans changed".

What's the difference between "they were going to" and "they are going to"?

"They were going to" describes a past intention, while "they are going to" describes a present intention or a future event. The tense indicates the timing of the plan.

What can I say instead of "they were going to"?

You can use alternatives like "they intended to", "they planned to", or "they were about to" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "they were going to" if the action never happened?

Yes, it's perfectly correct. "They were going to" indicates a past intention, regardless of whether the action was completed. For instance, "they were going to call, but they forgot".