were you going to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were you going to" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when asking someone about their intentions or plans in the past. Example: "Were you going to attend the meeting yesterday?" Alternative expressions include "were you planning to" and "did you intend to."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

How were you going to do that?

The New York Times - Science

"What were you going to put back?

The New York Times

Why were you going to this party?

The Guardian

And what were you going to say? "Just something stupid".

The New Yorker

Were were you doingoing

The New Yorker

Now, what else were you going to do with it?

The New Yorker

"Were you going to commit yourself to struggling against the evils abroad, or were you going to take care of the world around you?

The New York Times

What were you going to do: go home and watch something on your 11-inch TV?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

— Where are you going to go? — Morocco.

The New Yorker

Who are you going to talk to?

The New York Times

"What are you going to condemn that?

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were you going to" to politely inquire about someone's past intentions or actions, especially when the action was not completed or is uncertain.

Common error

Avoid using "were you going to" when referring to current or habitual actions; it's specifically for past intentions or unfulfilled plans.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were you going to" functions as an interrogative structure used to inquire about intentions or plans that were considered or expected to occur in the past. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it sets up a question about a past action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were you going to" is a versatile interrogative used to inquire about past intentions or plans. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and very common, found extensively in news media and other reliable sources. It’s crucial to use it accurately to avoid tense confusion, and understanding its alternatives can enhance your writing. Ludwig examples show this phrase being used in a variety of real-world contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

What were you going to do

Similar in structure, but lacks the polite continuous tense.

Were you intending to

A more formal way of asking about someone's intention.

Were you about to

Suggests the action was imminent or on the verge of happening.

What was your intention to

Focuses specifically on the intended action, adding a layer of formality.

What were you thinking of doing

Focuses on the thought process and potential actions under consideration.

Did you plan on

Emphasizes the planning aspect of the action, suggesting a more concrete intention.

Did you have any intention to

Highlights the presence or absence of intent behind an action.

What were your plans regarding

More formal and broader, inquiring about overall plans rather than a specific action.

Were you on the verge of

Implies being extremely close to performing an action.

Had you considered

Explores whether someone had thought about doing something, rather than a firm plan.

FAQs

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

Use "were you going to" to ask about past intentions or plans that may or may not have happened. For example, "Were you going to call me back yesterday?"

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

"Were you going to" refers to a past intention, while "are you going to" refers to a future plan. For example, "Are you going to the party tonight?" versus ""Were you going to" invite her to the party last week?"

What are some alternatives to "were you going to"?

Alternatives include "did you intend to", "were you planning to", or "what was your intention" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "were you going to" in formal writing?

Yes, "were you going to" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, as it is grammatically correct and widely understood.