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‘Be going to’ is used to talk about future plans. But you can use ‘was going to’ to talk about past plans that did not happen.

For example, compare these two sentences:

• I’m going to play tennis tomorrow.
• I was going to play tennis yesterday, but it rained.

The following variations are also possible :

• I was planning to play tennis, but it rained.
• I was intending to play tennis, but it rained.

‘Intending’ sounds more formal than the others.

If you forget to say something to someone, or tell someone something, or ask someone something, we usually use the expression ‘meant to’. The implication is that you forgot to do it.

• I meant to ask you - are you going to the seminar on Saturday?
• I meant to tell you about that, but I forgot. Sorry.

Have a go at translating these sentences and compare your answers with the audio.

1. 友だちとスキーに行くつもりだったけど、ひどい風邪を引いてしまった。
2. 上司に聞くつもりだったが、忙しくて忘れてしまった。
3. 早く起きて勉強するつもりだったけど、結局寝坊してしまった。

‘Be meant to’ is used, with the same meaning as ‘be supposed to’ to suggest what someone should do or should have done, but doesn’t or didn’t do. For example :

• You‘re not supposed to smoke in here.
• You‘re not meant to smoke in here.
• 実は、ここは禁煙ですよ。

• You were supposed to finish the report last week!
• You were meant to finish the report last week!
• そのレポートは先週までに済ませるべきだったよ。

• We are supposed to be there by 7.30.
• We are meant to be there by 7.30.
• 七時半までに着くべきだよ。（私たちが七時半までに着くことは期待されている。）