English Sequence of Tenses
The Sequence of Tenses is a principle according to which the Tense of the Verb in theDependent or Subordinate Clause follows the Tense of the Verb in the Principal Clause.
The following are the two main
rules about the Sequence of Tenses.
Rule I. (a) If the Verb in the
Principal Clause is in the Present or Future Tense, the Verb in the Subordinate
Clause may be in any Tense (Present, Past or Future) according to the sense.
But if there is some Purpose or Condition in Subordinate Clause, only Present
Tense will be used in
it.
|
Principal Clause
|
Subordinate Clause
|
|
He says (Present)
Or
He will say (Future).
|
That he learns his lesson
daily. (Present)
That he learnt his lesson
daily. (Past)
That he will learn his
lesson daily. (Future)
|
(b) If the Verb in the Principal Clause is in the Present or Future Tense, the Verb in the Subordinate
Adverb Clause of Purpose must be in the Present Tense:
I work hard so that I may pass.
I shall work
hard so that I may pass.
Exception:
In a sentence, in conditional form, the Subordinate Clause generally takes
a Verb in thePresent Tense and not in the
Future
1. You will catch (Future) the train, if (condition)
you run (Present) fast.
2. I shall be (Future) very glad, if (condition) you come. (Present)
Rule II. If the
Verb in the Principal Clause is in the Past Tense, the Verb in the Subordinate Clause must be in the corresponding Past Tense:
|
Principal Clause
|
Subordinate Clause
|
|
1. He told
me
2. He asked
him
3. She
knew
4. He ran
fast
5. I
expected
6. He did not
know
|
that his father was not at
home.
if he had told a lie.
that he would not help her.
so that he might catch the
train.
that you would come.
that his father had come.
|
Exceptions:
(a) A Past Tense in the Principal clause is followed by a Present Indefinite
Tense in the Subordinate Clause when there is a Universal Truth, Habitual fact. Geographical Truth etc.:
|
Principal Clause
|
Subordinate Clause
|
|
1. The old man said
2. The teacher said
3. He told me
4. She told him
|
that union is strength.
that the earth revolves
round the sun.
that his father goes out for
a walk daily.
that her brother is a
gambler.
|
(b) A Past Tense in the Principal Clause may be
followed by any Tense required by the sense when the Subordinate Clause is Adverb Clause of place, reason, or comparison:
|
Principal Clause
|
Subordinate Clause
|
|
1. We went to Lahore
2. She wanted to live
3. He did not
accompany us
4. She loved me more
5. Last week he spent
|
where his father is employed. (Place)
where he lives. (Place)
because he cannot walk. (Reason)
than she loves or loved or
will love you.
(Comparison)
as much money as
you will not spend in amonth.
(Comparison)
|
(c) A Past tense in the Principal Clause may be
followed by any Tense required by the sense if the Subordinate Clause is an Adjective Clause:
|
Principal Clause
|
Subordinate Clause
|
|
1. I saw a
man
2. The police caught a
man
3. I bought a cow
|
who sells bicycles.
who steals mangoes.
which gives milk.
|
(d) The Conjunction ‘lest’ is always followed by should
|
Principal Clause
|
Subordinate Clause
|
|
1. He walks
carefully
2. He worked
hard
|
lest he should fall down.
lest he should fail in the examination.
|
(e) When the
Subordinate Clause begins with 'as if or 'as though', the Verb in the Past
Tense means the Present Tense
1. He talks as if he were mad.
In reality, this sentence is the short form of the sentence given below.
He talks as he would talk if he were mad.
He is not actually mad, however, he talks like a mad man.
2. She scolded me as if I were her servant.
Note: ‘As if’ or ‘as though’ are
followed by ‘were’.
3.
In the following sentences study the
Verbs in Subordinate Clauses:
If you work hard, you will pass.
If you had worked hard, you would have passed.
If you worked hard, you would pass.
I wish that I were a king
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