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In the following sentence

I was to have left on Thursday. But on Thursday I had a terrible cold, so I decided to wait till Saturday.

I think was to have left by Thursday should be used.

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The original sentence is correct, and it says that the person had to leave on Thursday, but couldn't do so because he/she had a cold on Thursday.

If you use 'by Thursday', it means that he/she could have left on any day prior to Thursday, i.e., on Wednesday or Tuesday etc.

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  • Is it correct to say - You have to have left today
    – user93387
    Jun 1, 2019 at 19:46
  • No, it's incorrect. 'You had to leave today' or 'You have to leave today' are correct.
    – a_faulty_star
    Jun 4, 2019 at 9:14
  • Can I say I am to have left today?
    – user93387
    Jun 4, 2019 at 10:21
  • No, you can say 'I am to leave today' (Present) or 'I had to leave today' (Past) or 'I had to have left today' (Past perfect)
    – a_faulty_star
    Jun 4, 2019 at 10:52

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