was going to be

USAGE SUMMARY

"was going to be" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is commonly used to talk about future plans or intentions that were made in the past. For example: "I was going to be a doctor when I grew up, but I ended up choosing a career in law." She said she was going to be at the party, but she never showed up. The dinner was going to be ready at 8 pm, but there was a delay in the kitchen.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That was going to be brutal".

The New Yorker

It was going to be so glorious!

The New Yorker

I was going to be a scientist.

The Guardian

It was going to be fantastic!

The New York Times

That was going to be a problem.

The New York Times - Magazine

She was going to be O.K.

The New York Times

This was going to be his wife.

The New York Times

This was going to be interesting.

Independent

I was going to be there".

The New York Times

This was going to be a battle.

The New York Times

This was going to be my identity".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was going to be" to describe past intentions or future plans that were formulated in the past but may or may not have actually happened. It's useful for setting up narratives involving unfulfilled expectations or altered paths.

Common error

Avoid using "was going to be" when describing current or future intentions. Use "is going to be" or "will be" instead, depending on the context and timeframe.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was going to be" functions as a modal verb construction indicating a future intention or plan viewed from a past perspective. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in narratives describing intended actions or states, often implying that the plan did not fully materialize. Ludwig AI identifies it as a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was going to be" is a versatile and common phrase used to express past intentions or plans regarding future events. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to set up narratives, often implying a contrast between intention and reality. When writing, remember to use this phrase to convey plans formulated in the past, and be mindful of its neutral, slightly informal tone. Consider using alternatives like "had intended to be" for more formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was intending to be

Emphasizes the intention or plan that existed at a certain point in the past. Focuses on the mental state of planning.

had planned to be

Highlights the planning process and the existence of a concrete plan.

was supposed to be

Suggests an expectation or obligation that something should occur. It can also imply that the plan did not come to fruition.

was scheduled to be

Implies that an event or action was formally arranged or timetabled.

was set to be

Indicates a high degree of certainty and preparation for a future event.

was on track to be

Focuses on the progress and direction towards a specific outcome.

was aiming to be

Highlights the goal-oriented nature of the planned action.

would become

Expresses a future state viewed from a past perspective, often implying a natural progression.

was destined to be

Suggests a predetermined or inevitable outcome.

was about to be

Indicates imminence, that something was on the verge of happening.

FAQs

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

Use "was going to be" to describe an intention or plan from the past that might not have been fulfilled. For example, "I "was going to be" a doctor, but I became a teacher."

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

Consider alternatives such as "had intended to be" or "had planned to be" for a more formal tone. The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "was going to be" and "was supposed to be"?

"Was going to be" indicates a plan or intention, while "was supposed to be" implies an obligation or expectation. For instance, "The meeting "was going to be" short" indicates a planned duration, while "The meeting "was supposed to be" yesterday" implies it was scheduled but may not have happened.

When should I use "was going to be" instead of "will be"?

Use "was going to be" when discussing a past intention or plan. Use "will be" when talking about a future event. For example, "I "was going to be" there, but I got sick" (past). "I "will be" there tomorrow" (future).