Sau bài này bạn sẽ
- dùng was going to, was about to cho dự định hoặc việc sắp xảy ra trong quá khứ.
- dùng would, was to + V cho điều xảy ra về sau một mốc quá khứ.
- dùng was to have + V3 cho kế hoạch không thành.
Nhìn tương lai từ một mốc quá khứ
Khi kể chuyện, ta đứng ở một mốc quá khứ và nói điều “sẽ” xảy ra sau đó. Cách nói tương lai lùi một bậc:
- will → would: I knew she would agree.
- is going to → was going to: We were going to move abroad.
- is about to → was about to: The film was about to start.
- is to → was to: He was to become a famous writer.
Năm cấu trúc chính
| Cấu trúc | Ý nghĩa | Ví dụ |
|---|---|---|
| was / were going to + V | dự định, dự đoán lúc đó (hay không thành) | I was going to call you, but my phone died. |
| was / were about to + V | sắp xảy ra ngay | We were about to leave when it started to pour. |
| would + V | điều sẽ xảy ra, nhìn từ quá khứ | She knew the interview would be difficult. |
| was / were to + V | đã sắp đặt; số phận (trang trọng) | The young clerk was to become director. |
| was / were to have + V3 | kế hoạch không xảy ra | The bridge was to have opened in May. |
Quy tắc chi tiết
- was going to hay hàm ý dự định không thành (thường kèm but), hoặc dự đoán theo dấu hiệu lúc đó: The sky was black; it was going to rain.
- was about to chỉ việc sắp xảy ra ngay, hay gặp trong mẫu was (just) about to … when …; trang trọng hơn: was on the point of + V-ing. Không dùng cho kế hoạch xa.
- would dùng khi tường thuật và kể điều xảy ra nhiều năm sau: Years later, she would return to Hue.
- was to = kế hoạch chính thức hoặc số phận; was never to = sẽ không bao giờ … nữa.
- was to have + V3 luôn hiểu là kế hoạch không xảy ra.
Ví dụ
I was going to study medicine, but I realised I preferred economics.
Tôi từng định học y, nhưng rồi thấy mình thích kinh tế hơn.dự định không thành
We were about to give up when we finally found the hotel.
Chúng tôi sắp bỏ cuộc thì tìm thấy khách sạn.was about to … when …
I knew the exam would be tough, so I started revising early.
Tôi biết kỳ thi sẽ khó nên ôn từ sớm.will lùi thành would
He was on the point of resigning when he was offered a promotion.
Anh ấy sắp nghỉ việc thì được đề nghị thăng chức.on the point of + V-ing
Few people realised then that the internet was to change everyday life so dramatically.
Hồi đó ít ai nhận ra internet sẽ thay đổi đời sống đến vậy.was to = điều định sẵn
She moved to Canada in 2005 and was never to live in Vietnam again.
Cô sang Canada năm 2005 và không bao giờ về Việt Nam sống nữa.was never to
The new metro line was to have opened in 2020, but it was delayed for years.
Tuyến metro lẽ ra khai trương năm 2020 nhưng chậm nhiều năm.kế hoạch không thành
It was obvious from the dark clouds that it was going to rain.
Nhìn mây đen là biết trời sắp mưa.dự đoán theo dấu hiệu
Over the next decade, the small shop would grow into a national chain.
Mười năm sau đó, cửa hàng nhỏ ấy trở thành chuỗi toàn quốc.would khi kể chuyện
Lỗi hay gặp
Sai: I was going to called you yesterday.
Đúng: ✓ I was going to call you yesterday.
Sau going to là V nguyên mẫu.
Sai: We were about to leaving when the phone rang.
Đúng: ✓ We were about to leave when the phone rang.
about to + V nguyên mẫu; V-ing chỉ sau on the point of.
Sai: She said she will help me with the move last weekend.
Đúng: ✓ She said she would help me with the move last weekend.
Lời hứa nói trong quá khứ → will lùi thành would.
Sai: I was about to move to Da Nang the following year.
Đúng: ✓ I was going to move to Da Nang the following year.
about to chỉ việc sắp xảy ra ngay; kế hoạch xa dùng was going to.
Bài tập có đáp án
Tự làm trước, rồi bấm “Xem đáp án” để đối chiếu và đọc giải thích.
Câu 1 · Chọn đáp án
I ______ text you last night, but I fell asleep on the sofa.
- A. was going to
- B. am going to
- C. would have
Xem đáp ánẨn đáp án
was going to
Dự định không thành → was going to. would have cần V3.
Câu 2 · Điền vào chỗ trống
The taxi ______ (about / leave) when Hoa ran out of the house with her passport.
Xem đáp ánẨn đáp án
was about to leave
Sắp xảy ra thì bị cắt ngang → was about to + V.
Câu 3 · Chọn đáp án
When I met Tuấn at university, I had no idea that he ______ my business partner ten years later.
- A. will become
- B. would become
- C. had become
Xem đáp ánẨn đáp án
would become
Nhìn từ mốc quá khứ về sau → would + V; will không lùi thì, had become chỉ việc trước mốc.
Câu 4 · Sắp xếp thành câu
Buổi hoà nhạc lẽ ra diễn ra vào thứ Bảy, nhưng đã bị huỷ.
it was cancelledwas to havethe concerton Saturday,taken placebut
Xem đáp ánẨn đáp án
The concert was to have taken place on Saturday, but it was cancelled.
was to have + V3 = kế hoạch không thành.
Câu 5 · Điền vào chỗ trống
In 1975 the young engineer left for Germany; he ______ (be to / never / return) to his village.
Xem đáp ánẨn đáp án
was never to return
was never to + V = về sau không bao giờ … nữa.
Câu 6 · Tìm và sửa lỗi
Tìm và sửa lỗi sai.
We were about to leaving the office when the fire alarm went off.
Xem đáp ánẨn đáp án
to leaving → to leave
be about to + V → to leave.
Câu 7 · Chọn đáp án
When we set off, the sky was black and we could tell it ______ pour down.
- A. was going to
- B. is going to
- C. was about
Xem đáp ánẨn đáp án
was going to
Dự đoán theo dấu hiệu lúc đó → was going to.
Câu 8 · Điền vào chỗ trống
The minister ______ (be to / have / open) the new hospital yesterday, but her flight was delayed.
Xem đáp ánẨn đáp án
was to have opened
Kế hoạch chính thức không thành → was to have opened.
Câu 9 · Sắp xếp thành câu
Tôi vừa định gọi cho bạn thì bạn nhắn tin.
youcall youwhenwas about toItexted me
Xem đáp ánẨn đáp án
I was about to call you when you texted me.
was about to + V … when + quá khứ đơn.
Câu 10 · Chọn đáp án
My grandfather left Hue in 1954, not knowing he ______ see his brothers again for thirty years.
- A. would not
- B. will not
- C. had not
Xem đáp ánẨn đáp án
would not
Nhìn từ năm 1954 về sau → would not + V.
Làm bài kiểm tra có chấm điểm của bài này và lưu tiến độ trên Mock Test.
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