Sequence of tenses

If the verb in the principal clause is in one of the past tenses, a past tense (or Future in the Past) must be used in the subordinate clause. To choose the correct tense-form of the verb in the subordinate clause we must find out what action this verb expresses: simultaneous, prior or posterior to that in the principal clause.

Simultaneous action

If the past action expressed in the subordinate clause is simultaneous with that expressed in the principal clause the verb in the subordinate clause is used:

1). in the Past Indefinite or Past Continuous (if the action is continuous). In corresponding Ukrainian sentences we use the present or past tense:

I knew that Petrov lived in Odessa. I thought that they were waiting for me in the entrance hall.

Я знав, що Петров живе (жив) в Одесі. Я думав, що вони чекають (чекали) на мене у вестибулі.

2). in the Past Perfect Continuous or in the Past Perfect (with the verbs which are not used in the Continuous when the period of the time during which the action was going on is indicated. In corresponding Ukrainian sentences we use the present or past tense:

I knew that Petrov had been living in Odessa since 1976. He said that he had known her for six years.

Я знав, що Петров живе (жив) в Одесі з 1976 року. Він сказав, що знає її вже шість років.

Prior action

If the past action expressed in the subordinate clause is prior to that expressed in the principal clause, the verb in the subordinate clause is used:

1) in the Past Perfect. In corresponding Ukrainian sentences the past tense is used:

e.g. He said that he had lost his watch. Він сказав, що згубив свій годинник.

2) in the Past Perfect Continuous if we express the continuous action which ended right before the action of the principal clause. In corresponding Ukrainian sentences we use the past tense:

He said that he had just been speaking to her about it.

Він сказав, що тільки що говорив з нею про це.

3) in the Past Indefinite or Past Continuous:

a. when the time of the action is indicated by the expressions of the kind: in 1975, two years ago, yesterday, etc.:

She said that she left her native town seven years ago.

Вона сказала, що виїхала з рідного міста сім років тому.

Note: But with such time indications as: the day before, three days before, two years before, etc., the Past Perfect is used:

He said that he had left the city the day before.

Він сказав, що виїхав з міста напередодні.

b. when the time of the action is indicated by the subordinate clause of time:

She said that she was working when I rang her up.

Вона сказала, що працювала, коли я їй подзвонив.

Note: But when the time of the action is indicated by the subordinate clause of time beginning with since, the Past Perfect or the Past Perfect Continuous is used:

I thought that he hadn’t seen her since he returned from, Paris.

Я думав, що він не бачив її з того часу, як повернувся з Парижа.

Posterior action

If the action expressed in the subordinate clause is posterior to that of the principal clause the Future in the Past is used. In corresponding Ukrainian sentences the future tense is used:

He was sure that they would arrive on Sunday. He said that he would have translated the article by five o’clock.

Він був впевнений, що вони приїдуть у нед ілю. Він сказав, що перекладе статтю до п’ятої години.

Note: The Future in the Past is also used in the sentences which are not subordinate to other sentences formally but which are connected with them logically:

He looked at the sky. Soon it would rain and he would have to look for shelter.

Він подивився на небо. Скоро піде дощ, і йому доведеться шукати прихисток.

In the adverbial clauses of time and condition instead of the Future in the Past the corresponding forms of the Past are used. In corresponding Ukrainian sentences the future tense is used:

He said that he would go home after he had translated the article.

Він сказав, що піде додому після того, як перекладе статтю.

Exceptions to the Rules of Sequence of Tenses

1. If the predicate of the objective clause expresses a generally known fact. It can be expressed by the verb in the Present Indefinite even when the predicate of the principal clause is expressed by the verb in the Past Tense:

The teacher told the children that water boils at 100 degrees centigrade. – Учитель сказал детям, что вода кипит при 100 градусах по Цельсию.

NOTE: But in this case the predicate of the subordinate clause can be used in the Past Tense according to the rules of Sequence of Tenses:

The teacher told the children that water boiled at 100 degrees centigrade.

2. The verbs must, should and ought are used in the subordinate clause independently of the tense of the predicate of the principal clause:

He tells (told) us that we must not cross the road against the red light. – Он говорит (сказал) нам, что мы не должны переходить через улицу на красный свет.

He says (said) that I ought to send her a telegram at once. – Он говорит (сказал), что мне следует послать ей немедленно телеграмму.

3. The predicates in the attributive clauses, also in the comparative clauses and adverbial clauses of cause, can be expressed by the verbs in the Present and Future Tenses when the predicate of the principal clause is expressed by the verb in the Past Tense:

My brother told me about the book which you are reading . – Мой брат говорил мне о книге, которую вы читаете.

He was not able to translate the article because he does not know English very well. – Он не смог перевести эту статью, потому что он не знает достаточно хорошо английский язык.

It was not so cold yesterday as it is today. – Вчера не было так холодно, как сегодня.