General English Level 4 Version 2.1 © 2004 acl Pty Ltd GELEV4 Unit 03 Topic 04.doc LANGUAGE FOCUS 02 Describing changed plans In this activity you will learn how to describe changed plans. Claudia writes: I meant to phone you earlier but it slipped my mind. I was going to come up but, unfortunately, I won't be able to make it. We use meant to + verb and was going to + verb to talk about changes in our plans. Examples I meant to phone you earlier but it slipped my mind. Claudia means: I planned to phone you but I forgot. I was going to come up but, unfortunately, I won't be able to make it. Claudia means: I planned to come up but I can't keep the appointment. When we have changed a plan we often explain why. We usually introduce the reason with but. Here are some other expressions we use to describe changed plans. Look I He She was We You They were going meaning intending planning I You He She We They meant intended planned to phone you but … We can also say: I had every intention of phoning you but ... Examples Listen to the examples. 1. I was meaning to arrive on Saturday but I missed my train. 2. They were intending to get married but they couldn't afford it. 3. He was going to call you but he was busy. 4. We meant to tell you but we didn't know what you would say. 5. She intended to go to Europe but she thought it was too expensive. 6. I had every intention of phoning you but I was in a meeting. 102