was to come

USAGE SUMMARY

"was to come" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe something that was planned to happen but did not end up happening. For example: "The party was to come to a close at 8 PM, but it kept going for another hour."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Worse was to come.

The Economist

But worse was to come.

The New York Times

Worse news was to come.

The New York Times

Much more was to come.

The New York Times

More was to come.

The Guardian - Business

But much more danger was to come.

Independent

But what was to come first?

The Economist

Most funding was to come from taxpayers.

The Economist

Another chilling discovery was to come.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Worse is to come.

The Economist

Trials are to come.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "was to come" with descriptive language to enhance the impact. For example, "The storm that was to come loomed on the horizon."

Common error

Avoid using "was to come" when referring to something that has already occurred and is fully resolved. Use past perfect or simple past tenses instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was to come" typically functions as part of a verb phrase, indicating a future event or situation that was anticipated or planned in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was to come" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression, primarily utilized in news and media contexts to foreshadow events or highlight anticipated future developments. Ludwig AI confirms its versatility, and the collected examples underscore its role in creating anticipation and providing context. When writing, use it to create anticipation, but do not refer to something that has already occurred and is fully resolved. Remember, understanding its appropriate usage enhances clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was scheduled to happen

Focuses on the scheduling aspect of the event, suggesting a plan was in place.

was anticipated to occur

Highlights the anticipation or expectation surrounding the event.

was expected to arrive

Specifically refers to the arrival of someone or something.

was destined to unfold

Implies a sense of fate or inevitability about the event.

was set to transpire

Indicates that the event was arranged or prepared to happen.

was supposed to materialize

Suggests the event was planned or hoped for, but not guaranteed.

was projected to take place

Emphasizes the forecasting or prediction of the event's occurrence.

was programmed to commence

Focuses on the structured or organized initiation of the event.

was designed to emerge

Implies a deliberate design or purpose behind the event's appearance.

was on track to unfold

Indicates progress towards a predicted unfolding.

FAQs

How can I use "was to come" in a sentence?

Use "was to come" to indicate something that was expected or planned to happen in the future. For example, "The worst part of the storm "was to come" later that night."

What are some alternatives to "was to come"?

You can use alternatives like "was scheduled to happen", "was expected to arrive", or "was destined to unfold depending on the context.

Which is correct, "was to come" or "is to come"?

"Was to come" refers to something that was expected in the past but may or may not have happened. "Is to come" refers to something expected in the future.

What is the difference between "was to come" and "would come"?

"Was to come" implies a plan or expectation, whereas "would come" suggests a more general future event or consequence.