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First – year Practical Grammar

Module 19: The Future Indefinite in the Past

The Future Indefinite in the Past is formed by means of the auxiliary verbs should (for the first person singular and plural) and would (for the second and third persons singular and plural) and the infinitive without the particle to of the notional verb.

Affirmative	Interrogative	Negative
I should work.	Should I work?	I should not work.
He (she) would work.	Would he (she) work?	He (she) would not work.
We should work.	Should we work?	We should not work.
You would work.	Would you work?	You would not work.
They would work.	Would they work?	They would not work.

The Use of the Future Indefinite in the Past

The Future Indefinite in the Past denotes an action, which was future from the point of view of the past.

E.g. We were sure they would agree. I knew they would settle all business matters pretty soon. We doubted they would be able to realize their plans.

The Future Continuous in the Past

The Future Continuous in the Past formed by means of the auxiliary verb to be in the Future Indefinite in the Past and Participle І of the notional verb.

Affirmative	Interrogative	Negative
I should be reading.	Should I be reading?	I should not be reading.
He (she) would be reading.	Would he (she) be reading?	He (she) would not be reading.
We should be reading.	Should we be reading?	We should not be reading.
You would be reading.	Would you be reading?	You would not be reading.
They would be reading.	Would they be reading?	They would not be reading.

The use of the Future Continuous in the Past

The Future Continuous in the Past denotes an action going on at a definite moment in the future from the point of view of the Past.

E.g. I felt sure they would be discussing the same problem when I came in. We knew he would be watching TV the whole evening.

The Future Perfect in the Past

The Future Perfect in the Past is formed by means of the Future Indefinite in the Past of the auxiliary verb to have and Participle І (Past Participle) of the notional verb

Affirmative	Interrogative	Negative
I should have written.	Should I have written?	I should not have written.
He (she) would have written.	Would he (she) have written?	He (she) would not have written.
We should have written.	Would we have written?	We should not have written.
You would have written.	Should you have written?	You would not have written.
They would have written.	Would they have written?	They would not have written.