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Future In Past – Quiz 1
Future In Past Quiz 1 (30 MCQs)
This multiple-choice question set evaluates the understanding and usage of future in past tense, conditional sentences in past contexts, and complex temporal relationships between past and future actions. Students will demonstrate their ability to form and use future-in-the-past tenses correctly, predict future events from a past perspective, and understand habitual future actions in historical scenarios.
Quiz Instructions
Select an option to see the correct answer instantly.
1.
We ..... soon, but restrictions have been lifted so this may change.
A) Were not to have travelled.
B) Were not to travel.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence uses the Future In Past tense, which is formed with "were" + base verb (not "to be"). Option B correctly uses "were not to travel," indicating a plan that was not going to happen but has changed due to lifted restrictions. This aligns with the context of the sentence.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect as it uses "were not to have travelled" which is not the correct form for Future In Past.
Option B:
Correct as it properly uses "were not to travel," indicating a future plan that was not going to happen but has changed.
Option C:
Incorrect as it suggests both A and B are correct, which is not the case. Option A is incorrect for Future In Past tense.
Option D:
Incorrect as there is a correct option (B).
2.
The party ..... outside but it rained and party was cancelled.
A) Will be.
B) Thought to.
C) Would.
D) Were thinking of.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence describes a situation in the past where someone was planning to have a party, but due to rain, the party did not take place. The phrase "were thinking of" indicates that this was a future event from the perspective of the past (future-in-the-past). This is why option D is correct.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Will be - Incorrect as it implies a future action, not something planned in the past.
Option B:
Thought to - Incorrect as "thought" alone does not convey planning for an event.
Option C:
Would - Incorrect as it typically indicates a conditional or habitual action, not future plans.
Option D:
Were thinking of - Correctly conveys the idea of planning something in the past that did not happen due to rain.
3.
I knew his aunt ..... him any money.
A) Wouldn't lend.
B) Lend.
C) Wouldn't be lending.
D) Didn't lend.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "I knew his aunt wouldn't lend him any money" uses the future in the past tense, which is formed with 'wouldn't' + base verb (lend). This construction indicates a prediction or expectation about an action that was not going to happen in the past.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. Uses future in the past tense ('wouldn't lend') indicating the aunt's intention not to lend money, which did not occur.
Option B:
Incorrect. Simple past tense doesn't fit the context of a prediction about the past.
Option C:
Incorrect. Future in the past tense is formed with 'wouldn't' + base verb, not 'wouldn't be lending', which implies an ongoing action that was not happening.
Option D:
Incorrect. Simple past tense doesn't fit the context of a prediction about the past.
4.
We didn't expect that he ..... like that.
A) Was reacting.
B) Will react.
C) Would react.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "We didn't expect that he would react like that" uses the future in past tense, which is formed with "would + base verb". This construction indicates an unexpected action in the past that was contrary to expectations. Therefore, option C) "Would react" is correct.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Was reacting refers to a past continuous action and does not fit the context of an unexpected future event.
Option B:
Will react indicates a future action, but it should be in the past tense for this sentence structure.
Option C:
Would react is correct as it uses the future in past tense to express an unexpected reaction in the past.
Option D:
None of the above is incorrect since option C fits the context perfectly.
5.
They promised they ..... an end to the family feud, but failed to do so .
A) Had put.
B) Would be putting.
C) Were putting.
D) Would put.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence uses the future in the past tense, indicating an action that was planned to happen but did not occur. "Would put" correctly conveys this meaning as it shows a promise made about a future action from the past perspective.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect; "Had put" is in the past perfect tense, which does not fit the context of a future promise.
Option B:
Incorrect; "Would be putting" implies an ongoing action that was planned to start but did not begin, which is not what the sentence conveys.
Option C:
Incorrect; "Were putting" uses the past continuous tense and does not fit the context of a future promise from the past perspective.
Option D:
Correct; "Would put" accurately represents the future in the past tense, indicating a planned action that did not happen.
6.
As a college student, I ..... every day. This habit lasted into my adult years.
A) Exercise.
B) Was exercising.
C) Would exercise.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "As a college student, I would exercise every day. This habit lasted into my adult years." uses the future in past tense ("would" + base verb). It correctly conveys an action that was planned or intended to happen regularly in the past.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
"Exercise" is a simple present form, which does not fit the context of describing a habitual future action in the past.
Option B:
"Was exercising" uses the past continuous tense, indicating an ongoing action at a specific time in the past. It does not match the intended meaning of a regular habit.
Option C:
"Would exercise" is correct as it indicates a future habitual action from the perspective of the past.
Option D:
"None of the above" is incorrect since option C fits the context perfectly.
7.
When I was young, ..... go out for Halloween every year!
A) I went.
B) I would.
C) I did.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "When I was young, ..... go out for Halloween every year!" is in the past tense context, indicating an action that occurred regularly in the past. The correct form to express a future action in the past is using "would". Therefore, option B) "I would" is correct.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect as it uses simple past tense which does not indicate a habitual future action in the past.
Option B:
Correct as it uses "would", indicating a future action in the past.
Option C:
Incorrect as it uses simple past tense which does not indicate a habitual future action in the past.
Option D:
Incorrect as there is a correct option among A, B, and C.
8.
After finishing his last book, I asked him what he ..... next, but he just didn't know.
A) Did.
B) Was doing.
C) Was going to do.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "After finishing his last book, I asked him what he was going to do next, but he just didn't know." uses the future in past tense, which is formed with "was/were + going to" or simply "would". In this context, "was going to do" correctly conveys a planned action in the past.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Did - Incorrect. Past simple does not indicate future plans.
Option B:
Was doing - Incorrect. Continuous tense does not fit the context of asking about future plans.
Option C:
Was going to do - Correct. Future in past tense accurately represents a planned action in the past.
Option D:
None of the above - Incorrect. Option C is correct.
9.
A:I thought so. You're so forgetful! And yesterday you promised you ..... late this time! B:I know, I know. I'm so sorry!
A) Wouldn't have been.
B) Wouldn't be.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The phrase "You're so forgetful! And yesterday you promised you..... late this time!" indicates that the speaker is referring to a promise made in the past and its failure, which implies a future event from the perspective of the past. This usage of language aligns with the concept of "Future In Past," where we use forms like "wouldn't be" to express what was expected or predicted about the future at that time.
Option B) "Wouldn't be" is correct because it accurately reflects the speaker's expectation regarding a future event from the past context.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Wouldn't have been. - Incorrect, as this implies an action that did not happen in the past.
Option B:
Wouldn't be. - Correct, as it fits the "Future In Past" usage.
Option C:
All the above. - Incorrect, as only Option B is correct.
Option D:
None of the above. - Incorrect, as Option B is correct.
10.
Kate said that the cars (be) ..... there soon.
A) Would be.
B) Will be.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "Kate said that the cars (be)..... there soon" is in the past tense, indicating an action or state that was predicted or expected at a time prior to now. The phrase "would be" correctly conveys this future-in-past context, as it indicates a prediction made in the past about something happening in the near future.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. "Would be" is used for expressing a future event from the perspective of the past.
Option B:
Incorrect. "Will be" refers to a future event from the present, not from the past.
Option C:
Incorrect. This option includes both correct and incorrect choices, making it invalid.
Option D:
Incorrect. The correct answer is provided in Option A.
11.
..... you forget that you ..... it by yourself?
A) Do, would do.
B) Did, would do.
C) Did, would done.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence uses the "Future In Past" structure, which is formed with "would + base verb". The correct form for "forget" in this context would be "would forget", not "would do". Therefore, option B ("Did, would do.") is incorrect because it suggests using "would do" instead of "would forget".
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Do, would do. Incorrect as it uses the wrong form for future in past.
Option B:
Did, would do. Incorrect for the same reason as Option A.
Option C:
Did, would done. Incorrect because "done" is not the correct form of the verb after "would".
Option D:
None of the above. Correct as none of the options are grammatically or logically correct for the sentence structure.
12.
He said he ..... dinner at 8 p.m.
A) Was having.
B) Have.
C) Will have.
D) Would having.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "He said he was having dinner at 8 p.m." uses the past continuous tense to describe an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. This is appropriate because it indicates what the person was doing (having dinner) during a particular moment (at 8 p.m.). The other options do not fit grammatically or semantically: "have" and "will have" are simple present and future, respectively; "would having" is incorrect as "would" should be followed by the base form of the verb.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. Past continuous tense accurately describes an action in progress at a specific time.
Option B:
Incorrect. Simple present does not fit the context of a past event.
Option C:
Incorrect. Future simple is not suitable for describing something that happened in the past.
Option D:
Incorrect. The structure "would having" is grammatically wrong.
13.
I ..... call you yesterday, but I forgot.
A) Will.
B) Would.
C) Am.
D) Was going to.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "I was going to call you yesterday, but I forgot." uses the past continuous tense with a future element in the past. This construction indicates an intended action that did not occur due to a reason (in this case, forgetting). The phrase "was going to" is used to express a planned or intended future action from the perspective of the past.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Will - Incorrect. "Will" is used for simple future tense and does not fit in this context.
Option B:
Would - Incorrect. "Would" can be used to express habitual actions in the past, but it does not indicate a planned or intended action that did not happen.
Option C:
Am - Incorrect. "Am" is present tense and does not fit the context of an intended future action from the past.
Option D:
Was going to - Correct. This phrase indicates a planned or intended action in the past that did not occur due to a reason (forgetting).
14.
Sorry, I ..... call you in the evening but I forgot.
A) Was going to.
B) Would call.
C) Was calling.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "Sorry, I was going to call you in the evening but I forgot." uses the past continuous tense ("was going to") to express a future plan that did not happen due to an interruption (forgetting). This correctly conveys the intended meaning of a planned action in the past that was interrupted.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. "Was going to" indicates a future plan in the past.
Option B:
Incorrect. "Would call" is used for habitual actions or general intentions, not specific plans that did not occur.
Option C:
Incorrect. "Was calling" refers to an action in progress at a certain time in the past, which does not fit the context of a planned but unfulfilled action.
Option D:
Incorrect. There is a correct answer among the options provided.
15.
John promised he ..... an end to the situation but he failed to so.
A) Was putting.
B) Will put.
C) Would put.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence uses the past tense to describe an action that was promised in the past but did not occur, indicating a future event from the perspective of the past. "Would put" (Option C) is the correct form for expressing a future intention at a time in the past.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
"Was putting" is incorrect because it uses present continuous tense, which does not fit the context of a promise made in the past.
Option B:
"Will put" is incorrect as it refers to a future action from the perspective of now, not from the past.
Option C:
"Would put" is correct for expressing a future intention at a time in the past.
Option D:
"None of the above" is incorrect since Option C is valid.
16.
They said they ..... a movie that evening.
A) Watch.
B) Will watch.
C) Were watching.
D) Watched.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "They said they will watch a movie that evening" uses the future in past tense, which is formed by using "would" + base verb for simple future and "had been" + present participle for progressive. Here, "will watch" correctly conveys their intention to watch a movie at some point in the future from the perspective of the past.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Watch - Incorrect as it is not in the correct tense form.
Option B:
Will watch - Correct, uses future in past tense correctly.
Option C:
Were watching - Incorrect as it is in the past progressive form and does not fit the context of a planned future action.
Option D:
Watched - Incorrect as it is in the simple past tense, which does not match the intended meaning of a future plan from the past.
17.
I ..... her but I didn't get time.
A) Was going to tell.
B) Was going tell.
C) Wasn't going to tell.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "I was going to tell her but I didn't get time" uses the past continuous tense ("was going to") to express a future action that did not occur due to an interruption (not getting enough time). This correctly conveys that the speaker intended to do something in the near future, but it did not happen.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. Uses past continuous tense for "was going to" which is appropriate for a future action in the past.
Option B:
Incorrect. Missing 'to' after "going". Should be "was going to tell".
Option C:
Incorrect. Denies an intention that was present, using negative form instead of past continuous.
Option D:
Incorrect. Option A is correct.
18.
I was about to send my exam .....
A) When a blackout happened.
B) On her way home.
C) Was a cold day.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "I was about to send my exam ...." implies an action that was interrupted in the past, which is a typical use of the future-in-the-past construction. The blackout happening at that moment fits this context perfectly as it would have interrupted the act of sending the exam.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. Blackout interrupting the action aligns with future-in-the-past tense usage.
Option B:
Incorrect. The sentence does not indicate any travel or home-related context.
Option C:
Incorrect. Weather conditions do not fit the grammatical structure of the sentence.
Option D:
Incorrect. Option A is correct.
19.
I had a feeling that the party ..... a disaster!
A) Would be.
B) Was being.
C) Was going to be.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "I had a feeling that the party would be a disaster!" uses the future in past tense, indicating an expectation about a future event from the perspective of the past. The verb "would be" correctly conveys this idea.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. Uses future in past tense to express a prediction made in the past.
Option B:
Incorrect. "Was being" implies an action in progress at some point, not a future event from the past.
Option C:
Incorrect. "Was going to be" suggests a future event described as it was happening in the past, which is not appropriate here.
Option D:
Incorrect. There is a correct answer among the options provided.
20.
We ..... make an offer on the house, but then we saw another house that we liked even more.
A) Was supposed.
B) Would have.
C) Were going to.
D) Wouldn't.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence describes a situation where the speakers intended to make an offer on a house in the past but changed their mind due to seeing another house they liked even more. The correct form is "were going to," which indicates a future-in-past intention that was not carried out.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Was supposed - Incorrect as it implies an obligation or plan without the intended action.
Option B:
Would have - Incorrect as it suggests a hypothetical past event, not an intention that was abandoned.
Option C:
Were going to - Correct as it indicates a future-in-past intention that did not occur.
Option D:
Wouldn't - Incorrect as it implies a habitual or conditional negation, not a past intention.
21.
I told my mother that I (leave) ..... town on the following day.
A) Will leave.
B) Would leave.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "I told my mother that I (leave) ..... town on the following day" uses a past tense context, indicating an action planned for the future at the time of speaking but already in the past relative to when it was spoken about. The correct form here is
would leave
, which is used to describe a future event from the perspective of the past.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Will leave - Incorrect, as "will" refers to a future action in the present or near future, not a planned future action from the past.
Option B:
Would leave - Correct, as it properly conveys a future event from the perspective of the past.
Option C:
All the above - Incorrect, since only "would leave" fits the context correctly.
Option D:
None of the above - Incorrect, because "would leave" is the correct choice.
22.
After many days of suffering, he .....
A) Will go.
B) Would go.
C) Went.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "After many days of suffering, he ...." is in the past context. The correct answer is
B) Would go.
This usage indicates a future action from the perspective of the past, which aligns with the "Future In Past" concept.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect; it implies a present or future action that does not fit the context.
Option B:
Correct; it indicates a future action from the past, fitting the "Future In Past" concept.
Option C:
Incorrect; it suggests a completed past action which is inconsistent with the sentence structure.
Option D:
Incorrect; there is a correct option among A, B, and C.
23.
Thinking there was no way he ..... to get into college, he didn't even apply.
A) Was going.
B) Would.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence uses the future in the past tense, indicating a prediction about an action that was not completed in the past. "Was going" (Option A) correctly conveys this idea, as it suggests there was a prediction or expectation that he would not be able to get into college.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. Uses future in the past tense to indicate an expected outcome that did not happen.
Option B:
Incorrect. "Would" is used for conditional or habitual actions, not predictions about unfulfilled expectations in the past.
Option C:
Incorrect. "All the above" cannot be correct since only one option fits the context of future in the past tense.
Option D:
Incorrect. There is a correct answer, so this option is not applicable.
24.
Is the sentence written grammatically correctly:At that time, I didn't know that I would never see her again
A) Yes.
B) No.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "At that time, I didn't know that I would never see her again" is grammatically correct. It uses the future-in-the-past construction properly, where "would" indicates a prediction or expectation about an event in the future from the perspective of the past.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. The sentence adheres to proper grammar rules for expressing a future event from a past viewpoint.
Option B:
Incorrect. There are no grammatical errors in the given sentence.
Option C:
Incorrect. Option A is correct, and there are no other valid options here.
Option D:
Incorrect. The sentence does not require any corrections or alternative answers.
25.
What is the future-in-the-past perfect used to denote?
A) Habitual actions in the future.
B) Action completed before a certain moment in the future.
C) Simple facts viewed from the past.
D) Action in progress at a certain moment of time.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The future-in-the-past perfect is used to denote an action that was completed before a certain moment in the future. This tense combines elements of the past perfect and future tenses, allowing for actions to be viewed from a perspective in the past relative to another point in time that lies in the future.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Habitual actions in the future - Incorrect; this refers to the simple future tense.
Option B:
Action completed before a certain moment in the future - Correct. This is the definition of the future-in-the-past perfect.
Option C:
Simple facts viewed from the past - Incorrect; this relates more to the simple past tense or past perfect tense used for describing events from a past perspective.
Option D:
Action in progress at a certain moment of time - Incorrect; this refers to the future continuous tense.
26.
In 2010 I started learning English, and I ..... fluent!
A) Became later.
B) Would later become.
C) Will become later.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "In 2010 I started learning English, and I would later become fluent!" uses the future in past tense correctly. This construction indicates an event that was expected to happen at a point in the past but is not guaranteed or certain.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
"Became later" does not use the correct form for expressing a future action in the past.
Option B:
"Would later become" correctly uses the future in past tense to indicate an expected future event from the perspective of the past.
Option C:
"Will become later" is incorrect because it mixes present and future tenses improperly for this context.
Option D:
"None of the above" is not applicable since Option B is correct.
27.
How is the future-in-the-past indefinite formed?
A) WOULD + the infinitive of the verb.
B) WOULD + HAVE + Participle II of the verb.
C) WOULD + HAVE BEEN + Participle I of the verb.
D) WOULD + BE + Participle I of the verb.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The future-in-the-past indefinite tense is used to describe an event that was expected or planned in the past but did not occur. It is formed using "would" followed by the infinitive of the verb, which matches Option A: WOULD + the infinitive of the verb.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. Uses would + the infinitive (e.g., would go).
Option B:
Incorrect. Would have + past participle is used for past perfect tense.
Option C:
Incorrect. Would have been + past participle refers to a hypothetical state in the past.
Option D:
Incorrect. Would be + present participle does not form this tense.
28.
At that moment, we felt like we .....
A) Were going to die.
B) Were to die.
C) Was going to die.
D) Are going to die.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "At that moment, we felt like we ...." is in the past tense and describes a feeling about a future event. The correct form to use here is "were going to die," which indicates a future action from the perspective of the past.
Option A: Were going to die - Correct. This uses the past tense ("were") with the future-in-the-past construction ("going to"), making it appropriate for the sentence.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. Uses "were" (past) + "going to" (future in the past).
Option B:
Incorrect. "Were to die" is not a standard construction for future-in-the-past.
Option C:
Incorrect. "Was going to die" uses singular "was," which doesn't match with "we." Also, it's in the simple past tense rather than the correct future-in-the-past form.
Option D:
Incorrect. "Are going to die" is present tense and does not fit the context of a past feeling about a future event.
29.
I believed that our situation ..... get far worse.
A) Was to.
B) Was going to.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "I believed that our situation ... get far worse" uses the past tense of a verb to describe an action in the future from the perspective of the past, which is characteristic of the Future In Past construction. Option B ("Was going to") correctly captures this usage by indicating a future event viewed from the past.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
"Was to" does not fit grammatically in this context as it would imply an infinitive form which is incorrect here.
Option B:
"Was going to" accurately represents a future event viewed from the past, making it correct.
Option C:
"All the above" cannot be true since only one option fits correctly in this context.
Option D:
"None of the above" is incorrect as Option B is valid.
30.
Did you travel by train?
A) No, I was being to go to travel by train but I changed my mind.
B) No, I was going to travel by train but I changed my mind.
C) No, I were going to travel by train but I changed my mind.
D) No, I was be going to go to travel by train but I changed my mind.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Option B is correct because it uses the past continuous tense "was going to" which correctly conveys a future action in the past that was later canceled. The sentence structure is grammatically accurate and maintains proper verb forms for this specific tense.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect use of "were" instead of "was". Also, "to go to travel" is redundant.
Option B:
Correct usage of past continuous tense and proper sentence structure.
Option C:
Incorrect use of "were" instead of "was".
Option D:
Incorrect verb form "be going to" in the past context. Also, "to go to travel" is redundant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the future in past tense?
The future in past tense, also known as future-in-the-past or future-in-past, refers to a verb form used to describe an action that was planned or intended to happen at some point in the past but did not occur. It is often constructed using "would have" followed by the base form of the verb.
How does future in past tense differ from simple past tense?
Future in past tense differs from simple past tense because it specifically indicates a future action that was expected or intended to happen but did not, whereas simple past tense merely describes an action that occurred in the past without any reference to its timing relative to other events.
Can you give an example of future in past tense?
Certainly. An example would be "I would have gone to the party, but I had a sudden meeting." Here, "would have gone" indicates that going to the party was planned for the past but did not happen due to the unexpected meeting.
Is future in past tense commonly used in everyday speech?
While less common than simple past or present perfect tenses, future in past tense is used in certain contexts to express regret, hypothetical situations, or intentions that did not materialize. It is more frequently found in written English and formal communication.
How does the use of future in past tense affect sentence structure?
The use of future in past tense typically involves adding "would have" before the base form of the verb. This construction changes the sentence's focus from a completed action to an intended or planned action that did not occur, affecting both the meaning and the grammatical structure of the sentence.