1. 用come / go 等动词的过去进行时表示。如：
We were coming to see you, but it rained （so we didn’t）。 我们本打算来看你的，只是下起雨来了。
I was trying to help but I screwed up again. 我本想帮忙，反而又把事情搞糟了。
2. 用was [were] going to do sth 表示。如：
She was going to attend the concert last night, but she was too busy. 她昨晚本想去听音乐会的，但她太忙了。
3. 用think, hope, plan, mean, expect, intend, suppose 等动词的过去完成时表示。如：
I had meant to come, but something happened. 我本想来，但有事就没有来。
I had intended to speak, but time did not permit. 我本想发言，但时间不允许。
We had hoped that you would come to see us, but you didn't. 我们本想你来看我们的，但你没有来。
We had thought to return early but they wouldn't let us go. 我们本想早回来的，但他们不让我们走。
若不至于引导误解，有时也可用以上动词的一般过去时表示“本想”。如：
I thought I could go, but I can’t. 我原以为我能去，但我（现在）去不了。
I meant to reason with you, but you won't reason. 我本想和你讲道理，但你不肯讲道理。。