The future of the past in the English language — Time Future in the Past

In English, everything is possible. Even such an absurd name for a whole group times — Future in the Past — future in the past. How can this be, you ask. As a horrible future in the context of the past? Very simple — we talk about when we talk about the action, which is the future for a certain point in the past. Just give an example:

He said he would come at 5 o’clock. — He said he would come at 5 o’clock.

At that time, when it is said not yet have 5 hours. That is the effect of «come» is the future in relation to past action, «he said.» Here you have the time, Future in the Past.

There is a four-time Group Future in the Past:

1. Future Simple in the Past
2. Future Continuous in the Past
3. Future Perfect in the Past
4. Future Perfect Continuous in the Past

Education Times Future in the Past: Formula

Times Future in the Past are formed the same way as their counterparts from the group Future, only instead of auxiliary verbs will and shall use would and should. Should is used only for the first person singular and plural, but there is a tendency to use would for all persons and numbers:

Future Simple in the Past	Future Continuous in the Past
I would (should) work.	I would (should) be working.
We would (should) work.	We would (should) be working.
You would work.	You would be working.
He (she, it) would work.	He (she, it) would be working.
They would work.	They would be working.

Future Perfect in the Past	Future Perfect Continuous in the Past
I would (should) have worked.	I would (should) have been working.
We would (should) have worked.	We would (should) have been working.
You would have worked.	You would have been working.
He (she, it) would have worked.	He (she, it) would have been working.
They would have worked.	They would have been working.

The interrogative form of the auxiliary verb would (should) be put before the subject:

• Would I work?
• Would we be working?
• Would he have worked?
• Would they have been working?

The negative form not placed after the auxiliary verb would (should):

• I would not work.
• We would not be working.
• He would not have worked.
• They would not have been working.

As an abbreviated form used ‘d in the affirmative to both auxiliaries and wouldn ‘t (shouldn’ t) in the negative:

• He’d be working.
• They would not have worked.
• We should not work.

Use Future in the Past: examples of proposals

Times Future in the Past used in subordinate clauses, when the main clause predicate expressed by a verb in the past tense. The purpose of the use of Future in the Past — to show that the action in the subordinate clause will happen after the action in the main clause.

Here are some examples Future in the Past:

I thought that you would be late. — I thought you were going to be late. (Future Simple in the Past)

I knew we would be packing next Friday. — I know that we will meet in next Friday. (Future Continuous in the Past)

He said he would have read the book by the time I needed it. — He said he finished reading the book to the time when she needed me. (Future Perfect in the Past)

We said that by the time he picks us up he would have been driving for two hours. — He said that by the time he poberet us, he will be riding for two hours. (Future Perfect Continuous in the Past)

Thus, times in the Future Past indicate future action with respect to a certain point in the past. As can be seen from the examples, the proposal must contain a verb in the past tense in the main clause, without the use of Future in the Past impossible.

If you have already encountered such a theme as «The time sequence in the English language», you will understand that the time of Future in the Past arose precisely because of the rules of coordination. Interestingly, in the English language grammar manuals times Future in the Past does not stand out as a separate group, and are considered within the rules of tenses and expressions of the future actions described in the past. In addition, on the use would instead will we learn in the study of indirect speech in English, so it is also subject to the rules of tenses:

He says: «I will not buy this car.» — He says, «I do not buy this car.»

He said he would not buy this car. — He said he did not buy that car.

She hopes she will have finished the courses by the beginning of spring. — It is hoped that the course will finish by early summer.

She hoped she would have finished the courses by the beginning of spring. — It is hoped that the course will finish by early summer.

From these examples it is clear that the time of Future Group have expressed with respect to future action now and the time of the group Future in the Past — future action with respect to the last moment.

Finally, it remains to say that Future in the Past is usually used after verbs of speaking (say, tell) and mental activities (think, know, believe, expect, hope, etc.)

Application times Future Continuous in the Past, Future Perfect in the Past and Future Perfect Continuous in the Past — significantly limited, but the Future Simple in the Past is not uncommon.

Subject times Future in the Past, we have considered separately as it considered domestic benefits, since it is present in textbooks, and students can be difficult. But I believe that these times are not allocated as received English-language grammarians, more logical not to create unnecessary confusion.

Now try the following test Future in the Past, to consolidate their knowledge:

 

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Grammar