B2–C1 · GFA · GFA006

Subject + was/were about to + infinitive + when + past clause

Explanation

A reusable frame from “Time and aspect”. Compare how English and German express time and aspect. Practise reusable constructions with Russian translations.

Structure

EN · EnglishSubject + was/were about to + infinitive + when + past clause

DE · GermanSubject + wollte gerade + infinitive, als + past clause

Anchor phrase

RU · Translation

Я уже собирался выходить, когда зазвонил телефон.

EN · English

I was about to leave when the phone rang.

DE · German

Ich wollte gerade gehen, als das Telefon klingelte.

Try variations2 · more examples

RU · Translation
Она уже собиралась платить, когда заметила ошибку.
EN · English
She was about to pay when she noticed the mistake.
DE · German
Sie wollte gerade bezahlen, als sie den Fehler bemerkte.
RU · Translation
Мы уже собирались начинать, когда погас свет.
EN · English
We were about to start when the lights went out.
DE · German
Wir wollten gerade anfangen, als das Licht ausging.

Pattern graph

Continue with nearby patterns

GFA009Subject + was/were to have + past participle, but + past clauseGFA GFA008Subject + was/were to + infinitive + later-time expressionGFA GFA010Subject + have/has yet to + infinitiveGFA GFA007Subject + had been going to + infinitive, but + past clauseGFA

03Try variations2 · more examples

Continue with nearby patterns

Try variations2 · more examples