Metkagram
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B2–C1 · GFA · GFA009

Subject + was/were to have + past participle, but + 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 to have + past participle, but + past clause
DE · GermanSubject + sollte(n) eigentlich + infinitive, aber + past clause

Anchor phrase

RU · Translation

Она должна была выступать первой, но её поезд задержался.

EN · English

She was to have spoken first, but her train was delayed.

DE · German

Sie sollte eigentlich als Erste sprechen, aber ihr Zug hatte Verspätung.

Try variations2 · more examples

  1. RU · Translation

    Мы должны были встретиться в понедельник, но он заболел.

    EN · English

    We were to have met on Monday, but he was ill.

    DE · German

    Wir sollten uns eigentlich am Montag treffen, aber er war krank.

  2. RU · Translation

    Музей должен был открыться в мае, но ремонт затянулся.

    EN · English

    The museum was to have opened in May, but repairs took longer.

    DE · German

    Das Museum sollte eigentlich im Mai öffnen, aber die Reparaturen dauerten länger.

Pattern graph

Continue with nearby patterns

GFA006Subject + was/were about to + infinitive + when + past clauseGFAGFA008Subject + was/were to + infinitive + later-time expressionGFAGFA010Subject + have/has yet to + infinitiveGFAGFA007Subject + had been going to + infinitive, but + past clauseGFA