J'allais + infinitive = I was going to (Le Futur Proche in the past)

Aurélie Drouard
2017-04-24
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Look at these examples of Le Futur Proche dans le Passé, or how to say 'was/were going to' :

J'allais fermer la porte quand tu m'as appelé.I was going to close the door when you called me.

Tu allais manquer ton avion, c'est pour ça que tu t'es dépêché.You were going to miss your plane, that's why you rushed.

Elle allait appeler la police !She was going to call the police!

Allions-nous y arriver ? Personne ne le savait.Were we going to make it? No one knew.

Vous alliez vous rejoindre plus tard.You were going to meet later.

Oh là là ! Qu'est-ce qu'ils allaient s'ennuyer !My oh my! They were going to get so bored!

 

Note that to express 'I was going to + verb', you use l'Imparfait of the verb aller in French, followed by the infinitive.


ATTENTION:
Using Le Passé Composé would mean 'I went to do'!
e.g. Je suis allé faire mes devoirs.  (I went to do my homework.)

 

 

See also the previous lesson Aller + infinitive = to be going to (Le Futur Proche) 

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Examples and resources

Tu allais manquer ton avion, c'est pour ça que tu t'es dépêché.You were going to miss your plane, that's why you rushed.
Oh là là ! Qu'est-ce qu'ils allaient s'ennuyer !My oh my! They were going to get so bored!
J'allais fermer la porte quand tu m'as appelé.I was going to close the door when you called me.
Vous alliez vous rejoindre plus tard.You were going to meet later.
Allions-nous y arriver ? Personne ne le savait.Were we going to make it? No one knew.
Elle allait appeler la police !She was going to call the police!
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