he was going vs he was going to

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'He was going' is used to describe an action that was in progress in the past, while 'he was going to' is used to indicate a future intention or plan in the past. They are not directly comparable as they serve different purposes.

Last updated: March 25, 2024 • 814 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to describe an action that was in progress in the past.

"he was going"

This phrase is used to indicate that someone was in the process of moving from one place to another in the past. It describes an ongoing action.

Examples:

He was going to the store when he saw his friend.
She was going home when it started to rain.
They were going to the party when their car broke down.
I was going to the gym every day last week.
The cat was going in and out of the house all day.

Show examples from the web [+]

Refused to tell me where he was going or what for.
You must have some idea where he was going.
McKay said he was going to modify the quarantine system to make it more efficient.
Rodney did say he was going to modify some of the Ancient protocols.
I can only imagine the speed he was going on that motorcycle.
And I don't think he was going duck hunting.
They basically said he was going to lose his mind.
No ID, not sure where he was going.
I just knew he was going to marry goldie.
He'd described the actual shots he was going to have made.
No, he was going south.
Said he was going treasure hunting.
But the important thing was, he was going to make us rich.
Thomas said he was going to a party.
He said he was going on a school camping trip.
They killed him because he was going to expose someone inside Logan's administration.
He said he was going to pay people back.
I thought that every day he was going downhill.
Said he was going there tomorrow.
Only they knew where he was going.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate a future intention or plan in the past.

"he was going to"

This phrase is used to express an intention or plan that someone had in the past. It describes a future action that was planned or intended at a specific point in the past.

Examples:

He was going to call you yesterday, but he forgot.
She was going to visit her parents last weekend, but she got sick.
They were going to buy a new car, but they changed their minds.
I was going to study for the exam, but I got distracted.
The team was going to win the game, but they lost in the end.

Show examples from the web [+]

They killed him because he was going to expose someone inside Logan's administration.
Believe me, he was going to kill your wife.
George said that he was going to start dating serious contenders.
He said he was going to meet you.
He said he was going to kill coach for embarrassing him like that.
But the important thing was, he was going to make us rich.
McKay said he was going to modify the quarantine system to make it more efficient.
Rodney did say he was going to modify some of the Ancient protocols.
Thomas said he was going to a party.
He said he was going to pay people back.
If he believed he was going to die, then sure.
I knew exactly what he was going to say.
They basically said he was going to lose his mind.
My husband was convinced he was going to die in prison.
Thought he was going to make an offer.
I never thought that he was going to do anything, and...
He said he was going to bomb the mosque.
Nicholas rang me earlier to say he was going to be late home.
He might have been afraid he was going to lose his position.
I thought he was going to the Pongo das Mortes.

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he was going vs he was going to

"he was going"

"he was going to"

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