The Sequence of Tenses
.docxThe Sequence of Tenses
-the SoT relies on the verb in the main clause; the rest of the sentence depends on its tense.
1. If the verb in the main clause is used in Present or Future tenses the verb in the subordinate clause may take any tense appropriate for the context.
Ex: They wonder where I am (now-Present simple)
Was last night (Past Simple)
Will be tomorrow (Future Simple)
Have been (Present Perfect)
The SoT is obligatory (compulsory) when the action in the main clause, we use Past Simple/Past Continuous.
Ex: She didn’t know where she was – Past Simple
They noticed that I wasn’t listening – Past Continuous
2. When the action in the subordinate clause precedes the action in the main clause, we use Past Perfect/ Past Perfect Continuous
Ex: I knew that you had left the city – Past Perfect
I know well enough what she had been doing all that time – Past Perfect Continuous
3. If the action in the subordinate clause refers to the future, we use Future in the Past or other ways of expressing it.
Ex: We hoped that she would soon get better – Simple
He was sure that she would be thinking about him- Continuous
She said that she was going to have a nap – to be going to
The SoT is optional when to the verb in the subordinate clause refers to the actual present or future moment.
Ex: He said that he doesn’t ever want to see you- the actual present
I said that I will make salad for dinner tonight- the actual future
The SoT isn’t observed:
When the verb in the subordinate clause expresses a universal truth
Ex: My teacher told me that the sun rises from the East
With such modal verbs must, should, ought to
Ex: I wrote that I must see him
When we are reporting immediate future events (using the verbs shall/will)
Ex: Don’t leave. She said she will make coffee for us.
When we report a narration ( 2 or more events) or if there is a correct date.
Ex: He said that he was born in Kiev( narration 1) and then his family moved to Minsk (narration 2)
She said that she finished school in 2021. – a concreate date.
The Past Continuous doesn’t change its form
Ex: He remarked «When I came in, she was singing»- Direct speech
He reminded that he came in, she was singing- Reported speech