Iraqi EFL learners' recognition of the past tense forms used to express future

Abstract EN

Tense in verbal phrase is connected with temporal reference ; however, the latter is not always identified in terms of the tense form.

For instance, though the past tense always imposes a restricted temporal reference represented by past reference.

It can also be used to express (future-in the past- meaning), i.

e.

future in the past time.

Quirk et al (1985 : 218) states that in some of its occurrences a past tense form can be considered as a genuine expression of future-in-the past meaning in that they can be understood to guarantee the fulfillment of the happening of the future event in question : 1.

The court was eventually to charge him.

2.

I was about to solve the problem.