我们在学习一般将来时时讲到过，除用“will / shall+动词原形”表示将来外，我们还可以用其他一些方法来表示将来。同样地，对于过去将来时而言，我们除可用“would+动词原形”外，也还有一些其他的方法来表示过去将来。如：
1. was / were going to + 动词原形：该结构有两个主要用法，一是表示过去的打算，二是表示在过去看来有迹象表明将要发生某事。如：
I thought it was going to rain. 我想要下雨了。
I was going to leave when he came in. 他进来时我正要离开。
2. was / were to + 动词原形：主要表示过去按计划或安排要做的事情。如：
He asked where he was to put it. 他问他该把它放在哪里。
She said she was to get married next month. 她说她计划在下个月结婚。
3. was / were about to + 动词原形：表示在过去看来即将要发生的动作，由于本身已含有“即将”的意味，所以不再表示具体的过去时间状语连用。如：
I was about to go to bed when the phone rang. 电话铃响时我正好要上床睡。
I couldn't go to Tom's party as I was about to go into hospital. 我就要住院，所以不能参加汤姆办的晚会了。
4. was / were +现在分词：表示在过去看来即将发生的动作。如：
Jack said he was leaving tomorrow. 杰克说他打算明天动身。
She didn't say whether she was coming to lunch. 她没有说她是否来吃午饭。
注意，并不是所有动词都具有这样的用法，通常可用于该句型中动词是come, go, leave, arrive, begin, start, stop, close, open, die, join, borrow, buy等瞬间动词。