Future in the Past Tense

What is It?

It is used to show that in the past, a speaker thought about something that would happen in future. It does not matter if it is true or false.

When to Use?

Case  1:

* To express confidence or a suggestion about future events.

Example:

– I knew that the surrounding people would call for an ambulance, so I did not stay at the car accident site.

Case  2:

* To show an intention that had place in the past.

Example:

– He thought that I was going to come to a party, so he reserved me a table.

Exceptions

The future in the past tense cannot be used with words and phrases that express time, such as with when, while, before, after, if, unless, during, as soon as.