was to

USAGE SUMMARY

"was to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to introduce an action that was intended to happen but didn't. For example: "He was to go to the store, but he changed his mind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(It was to me).

The New Yorker

(Everyone was to blame).

The New Yorker

Worse was to follow.

The New York Times

It was to blame.

The New Yorker

One was to hide.

The New Yorker

Worse was to come.

The Economist

That was to Asada.

The New York Times - Sports

She was to blame.

The New Yorker

Nobody was to blame.

The New York Times

Who was to blame?

The Economist

No one was to blame.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was to" to clearly indicate an intention or plan that existed at a specific point in the past, especially when that plan did not come to fruition.

Common error

Avoid using "was to" when simply describing a past action that actually occurred; instead, use the simple past tense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was to" functions as an auxiliary verb construction indicating a past intention, arrangement, or expectation. Often, it implies that the intended action did not fully materialize, a detail Ludwig AI emphasizes in its analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was to" is a versatile construction used to indicate a past intention, arrangement, or expectation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly found in diverse contexts, especially in news and media. The examples show its ability to add context and highlight unfulfilled plans. When using "was to", be mindful of the intended formality and avoid using it to describe actions that actually occurred. Instead, consider alternatives like "was intended to" or "was supposed to" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was intended to

Emphasizes the original intention or plan.

was supposed to

Indicates an expectation or obligation, often implying it was not fulfilled.

was scheduled to

Highlights the planned or timetabled nature of an event.

was meant to

Focuses on the purpose or design of an action or event.

was going to

Expresses a future intention or plan.

had to

Indicates a necessity or obligation, placing greater emphasis on the required nature of the action.

needed to

Highlights the requirement for a particular action.

should have

Expresses a past obligation or expectation that was not met.

ought to have

Similar to 'should have', but carries a slightly stronger sense of moral obligation or advisability.

was programmed to

Indicates a pre-set plan or instruction, particularly applicable in technical or automated contexts.

FAQs

How is "was to" used in a sentence?

"Was to" indicates a planned or intended action in the past, often one that did not happen. For example, "The meeting "was to" start at 9 am, but it was delayed."

What's a good substitute for "was to"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "was intended to", "was supposed to", or "was scheduled to" as alternatives to "was to".

Is it correct to use "was to" for future plans?

While "was to" refers to past intentions, it sets the stage for what would happen, or what the expectation was. It's not a direct way to express future plans but rather relates to the background or context of future or ongoing situations.

What is the difference between "was to" and "was going to"?

Both express past intentions, but "was to" often implies a formal arrangement or schedule, while "was going to" is more general. For example, "The president "was to" address the nation (formal)," versus "I "was going to" call you (informal)."