Тема 9. Sequence of tenses.

Tense in Main/ Independent

Clause

Purpose of / Tense in Dependent Clause

Example(s)

1. If the verb in the principal clause is in the present or the future tense, the verb in the subordinate clause may be in any tense

Simple Present

to show same-time action, use the present tense

I am eager to go to the concert because I love the Wallflowers.

to show earlier action, use past tense

I know that I made the right choice.

to show a period of time extending from some point in the past to the present, use the present perfect tense.

They believe that they have elected the right candidate.

to show action to come, use the future tense.

The President says that he will veto the bill.

If the tense in the principal clause is in the past tense, the tense in the subordinate clause will be in the corresponding past tense.

Simple Past

to show another completed past action, use the past tense.

I wanted to go home because I missed my parents.

to show an earlier action, use the past perfect tense.

She knew she had made the right choice.

to state a general truth, use the present tense.

The Deists believed that the universe is like a giant clock.

to show action to come later, use the future-in-the-past tense.

The President said that he would veto the bill.

Present Perfect or

Past Perfect

for any purpose, use the past tense.

She has grown a foot since she turned nine.

The crowd had turned nasty before the sheriff returned.

Future

to show action happening at the same time, use the present tense.

I will be so happy if they fix my car today.

to show an earlier action, use the past tense.

You will surely pass this exam if you studied hard.

to show future action earlier than the action of the independent clause, use the present perfect tense.

The college will probably close its doors next summer if enrollments have not increased.

we do not use future tense after when, until, before, after etc

I will call you when dinner is ready.

I shall wait until you return

Future

Perfect

for any purpose, use the present tense or present perfect tense.

Most students will have taken sixty credits by the time they graduate.

Most students will have taken sixty credits by the time they have graduated.

Exceptions

Past Tense

to expresses some universal truth, we may use present tense

Copernicus proved that the earth moves round the sun.

Newton discovered that the force of gravity pulls all bodies to the Earth.

He forgot what temperature Fahrenheit water freezes/boils.

to inform about a timetable, law or order, we may use present tense

He said the train arrives at 6 p.m.

He learned that the hotel concierge usually locked the front door at midnight.

She found out that he still worked at a bank.

after the conjunction of purpose THAT

I study that I may pass.

I will study that I may pass.

I studied that I might pass.

We eat that we may live.

He ate that he might not die.

Expressions such as if only, as if, it is time and wish that are usually followed by past tenses.

I wish I was a bit taller.

It is time we started working.

He talks as if he knew everything.