page(396-400)
Chapter 18 Sequence of Tense
Sequence of Tenses–Grammar Rules
The rules governing verb tenses are dictated by logic; an action in the future obviously cannot happen before an action in the past. In writing, it’s a matter of looking at your clauses and sentences and determining when each action is happening relative to everything else. The past must come before the present, and the present before the future, etc. Pay particular attention to the verb sequence when you have a dependent clause before an independent clause, or a result clause before the if-clause.
The sequence of Tenses is the rules that regulate the use of tenses. There are a few rules to remember to use these tenses correctly and meaningfully. While some may seem self-evident, others must be addressed. Today, in this article we are going to learn about the sequence of tenses, their rules, and some solved examples. So, let’s start by understanding the sequence of tenses in the coming section.
What Does the Sequence of Tenses Mean?
Tenses are verbs that describe the timing of an event, action, or condition. When a passage contains more than one verb in it, the relationship between the tenses of the verbs is known as the sequence of tenses. Different types of sequences are available. When all the verbs in a sentence show actions or states that occur at or generally about the same time, their tenses should be the same:
- Whenever the alarm clock rings, I run, stretch, and roll over for another five minutes of last sleep. (all present tense).
- She opened her arms to the audience, smiled, and bowed deeply. (all past tense).
：Sequence of Tense
: Sequence of Tense Tense Subordinate clause Tense ( Main Clause )
( Conjunctive) :-
1) Main Clause Past Subordinate clause Past Future in the past :-
Main Clause Subordinate Clause
He told me that he was hungry.
It was settled that I should do this.
She asked me whether I had seen her dog.
He died because he was careless。
Daeng said (that) he would help me.
I would do this if I were allowed.
She worked so hard that she fell ill.
He was informed that I had been working here.
John succeeded because he worked hard.
(sequence of Tense) (396)
1.1) Main Clause Past Tense Subordinate Clause Present Tense :-
Main clause Subordinate Clause
The teacher told us that the earth moves round the sun.
His illness showed him that all men are mortal.
The students were taught that honesty is the best policy.
2) Main Clause Past Tense Subordinate Clause Present Tense :-
Main Clause Subordinate Clause
He told me that his son is industrious.
I said that my mother is fat.
They were sorry to hear that their boss has a bad temper.
He asked me if I usually get up early.
1.3) Main Clause Past Tense Subordinate Clause Adjective Clause Tense
Whom you see sitting there
The man Whom you saw just now gave me a pen
Whom you will see in a moment
1.4) Mian Clause Past Tense Subordinate Clause than, as,…………as, so…………..as Tense :-
He like you better than he like
Than he liked me ( 397)
than he will like me.
He did it as he usually does.
As he had promise
As I will do
Last year I worked as hard as I do now
As he did
As I shall do next year.
Last year she was not so rich as she is now
As she was
As she will be soon
1.5) Main Clause Past Tense Subordinate Clause (Direct Speech ) Tense ):-
He said, “ I have lived here for many years.”
She said, “I am very Happy to see you.”
Daeng said to me, I will do this for you (398)
2) Main Clause Present Tense Future Tense Subordinate Clause Tense :-
Main Clause Subordinate Clause
that he can read this book.
that she is working harca.
I Know
I shall that they will arrive tomorrow.
that he has sent it already。
that he wrote to his friend.
that John had done it before you did.
3)/ ( Subordinate Clause) ( may, might) :-
3.1 Mian Clause Present Tense Future Tense Subordinate Clause may + ;-
He works hard so that he may not fail.
She will study hard so that she may not fail in her examination.
Anne comes here so that she may meet her friend.
3.2) Main Clause Past Tense Subordinate Clause might + :-
He came so that he might see his father.
I helped him so that he might live.
4) Subordinate Clause a lest should + Main Clause Tense
He goes lest he should see me.
She escaped lest she should work hard.
David will go lest he should do this work. (399)
Choose the best answer for each of the following sentences.
- He told me that he………………….sick yesterday.
- was b. would be d. is c. might be d.is
- I will buy a new car when the prize… …………….down.
- came d. comes b. will come c. came d. comes
- They learned at school that the earth…………. round the sun.
- moves b. moved c. will move d. would move
- His father was very glad to hear that his son ………………industrious
- were b. was c. will be d. is
- Her illness showed us that all men……. mortal.
- are b. will be c. were d. would be
- He studies hard lest he. …fail in his examination again.
- can b. should c. will d. would
- Mr. Thomson worked hard so that the…. …not fail in speaking
- may b. might c. could d. should
- she……………………………very hard so that she might not fail in speaking.
- would practice b. was practicing c. practiced d. practices
- It was settled that ……….do this job.
- can b. should c. might d. may
1.A 2. D 3. A 4. D 5. A 6. B 7. B 8. C 9. B ( 400)