Sequence of Tenses

S E Q U E N C E   O F   T E N S E S

I n English the tense of the verb in a subordinate clause (mainly, an object clause) depends on that of the verb in the principal clause. This adjustment of tense-forms is called The Sequence of Tenses.

The following are the rules of the Sequence of Tenses:

1.                      A present or future tense in the principal clause may be followed in the subordinate by any tense that is required by the sense.

His horoscope reads that he has just had a rather difficult financial period, but that this week he will be lucky with money matters. It reads that today is his most successful day. They have informed us that hospitals and rescue services coped extremely well.

2.                      A past tense in the principal clause must be followed by a past tense in the subordinate clause. The choice of the type of a past tense depends on the time relations between the principal and the subordinate clause.

A.   If the action of the subordinate clause is simultaneous with the action of the principal clause the Past Simple or the PastContinuous is used in the subordinate clause:

I didn't know you two were related to each other. For a moment she didn’t know where she was.

I was sure the children were sleeping and didn’t hear us.

B.   If the action of the subordinate clause is prior to the action of the principal clause or lasted a certain time before the action of the principal clause, the PastPerfect or Past Perfect Continuous is used in the subordinate clause:

I knew she had not played the piano for a long time.

We were aware that they had been building a garage since last summer.

C.  If the action of the subordinate clause refers to a future moment (a posterior action), a Future tense-form is replaced by the so-called Future-in-the-Past (when the auxiliary ‗will‘ changes to

‗would‘).

Susan‟s parents were happy that their daughter would marry into a good family. I knew they would still be reading for the seminar when I came. They were sure that they would have sold the house by the end of the year.

He informed us that by March 2010 he would have been working for the company for 10 years.

The required tense-form changes in the subordinate object clauses can be seen from the Table below:

Present Simple They usually decorate the house themselves.	Past Simple We knew they usually decorated the house themselves.
Present Continuous They are decorating the house.	Past Continuous We knew they were decorating the house.
Present Perfect They have decorated the house themselves.	Past Perfect She was proud they had decorated the house themselves.
Present Perfect Continuous They’ve been decorating the house for two weeks.	Past Perfect Continuous We knew they had been decorating the house for two weeks.
Past Simple They decorated the house last month.	Past Perfect They were glad that they had decorated the house the previous month.
Past Continuous William was whitewashing the ceiling at 5 o’clock.	Is generally unchanged or is replaced by Past Perfect Continuous We explained that he was whitewashing (had

	been whitewashing) the ceiling at 5 o’clock.
Past Perfect He had whitewashed the ceiling by the time I phoned.	Past Perfect (i.e. remains unchanged) William explained that he had whitewashed the ceiling by the time I phoned.
Past Perfect Continuous He had been whitewashing the ceiling for a couple of hours by the time she phoned.	Past     Perfect             Continuous         (i.e.           remains unchanged) He explained that he had been whitewashing the ceiling for a couple of hours by the time she phoned.
Future Simple He’ll whitewash the ceiling tomorrow	Future Simple-in-the-Past He promised he would whitewash the ceiling the following day but he didn’t.
Future Continuous (Progressive) They’ll be whitewashing the ceiling at 5 o’clock.	Future Continuous -in- the-Past They   were           sure           that           they           would          be whitewashing the ceiling at 5 o’clock.
Future Perfect They’ll have whitewashed the ceiling and papered the walls by 5 o’clock.	Future Perfect-in-the-Past We were sure that they would have whitewashed the ceiling and papered the walls by 5 o’clock.
Future Perfect Continuous They’ll have been papering the walls for 3 hours by 5 o’clock.	Future Perfect Continuous -in-the-Past We supposed that they would have been papering the walls for 3 hours by o’clock

 

If the verb in the principal clause is in a past tense, alongside with the tense changes the following changes of adverbials and demonstrative pronouns take place:

 

today, tonight	that day, that night
here	there
now	then/at that time/right away/at the moment/ immediately
this, these	that, those
tonight/this evening	that night/evening
yesterday	the day before/the previous day
the day before yesterday	2 days before/previously
ago	before
2 years ago	2 years before/previously
last night, week, month, etc	the night, week, etc., before/the previous night, week
tomorrow	the following/the next day/the day after
the day after tomorrow	in two days‘ time
next week/year, etc.	the following/the next week/year, etc.

 

NOTES:

1.       If there are several subordinate clauses in a sentence the rule of the Sequence of Tenses

is observed in all of them:

He explained he was sure you were in. She admitted that she knew what kind of person he was. But when the reported sentence contains a time clause, the tenses of the time clause do not change:

I‟m sure she has been writing since she came home. > I was sure she had been writing since she came home.

I know that she left when it was getting dark. > I knew (that) she had left when it was getting dark.

The Sequence of Tenses may not be observed:

ü  if the object clause expresses general truth.

The pupil knew that water consists/consisted of oxygen and hydrogen. The teacher said that the sun sets/set in the west.

ü  if the action in the object clause refers to what is (or was) believed to be a regular occurrence or existing fact.

He asked the clerk what time the earliest train to Manchester starts/ started.

He explained to us very clearly how the computer works/ worked.

ü  when the point of reference for the past tense in the principal clause is the moment of speech (absolute time).

I‟ve just talked to Marilyn on the phone. — What did she say? She said there

was an earthquake here (there) yesterday (last Monday).

Compare:

Marilyn said on the phone last week that there had been an earthquake there the day before.

ü  if the statement is still up to date when we report it.

Angela wrote to me saying that her father owns (or owned) a supermarket.

ü  in political language.

The speaker stressed that poverty is one of the most important global issues.

Note, however, that we usually change the tense if the action in the principal clause is out of date or may be untrue.

Angela wrote to me years ago saying that her father owned a supermarket. The Prime Minister claimed that the government had made the right decision.

2.       When the action in the subordinate clause precedes the action in the principal clause but refers to a definite past moment or there is a succession of past events, the Past Simple is used.

I knew that his youngest son was born in 1960.

He told me that they decided to go to the pictures, got a 63 bus, and got off at the Elephant Castle as the pictures were just next door.

3.       Modal verbs in subordinate object clauses usually remain unchanged, but there can also be a tense change to some of them. See the table below:

must	must (or had to)
have to	had to
needn't	needn’t/ didn’t need to/ didn’t have to
can	could/would be able to (future reference)
may	might
shall	should (asking for advice)
will	would
would, could, might, should, ought	do not change

 

Examples:

She complains she must get up very early.

She complained she must (had to) get up very early.

He thinks that if I can lend him the money he needn‟t go to the bank.

He thought that if I could lend him the money he needn’t (didn’t have to) go to the bank.

The notice said that people mustn‟t smoke inside the building. The notice says that people mustn’t smoke inside the building. They think they may put up with our decision to move out.

They thought they might put up with our decision to move out.

He understands he has to rely on their promise to support him He understood he had to rely on their promise to support him. My friend thinks I should get my haircut

My friend thought I should get my haircut.

The teacher remarks that I ought to use a decent dictionary. The teacher remarked that I ought to use a decent dictionary. The client insists that he would like to see the manager.

The client insisted that he would like to see the manager.

4.       If the reported sentence deals with unreal past, conditionals type 2 and 3 or wishes, the tenses remain the same.

“If I were you, I would apologise,” he said. He said that if he were me he would apologise.

 

I.                  Simultaneous Actions

 

Ex. 1

Change the verb in the principal clause into a past tense and make the necessary changes in the subordinate clause.

1.        She always tells people that she is good at languages.

2.        Everybody knows that Susan is strict about keeping things tidy.

3.        I forget that she is always letting people down.

4.        They do not realise how nervous she may be.

5.        What he is saying is not true.

6.        She knows for sure that honesty is the best policy.

7.        Mary complains that she is bored with the same old routine day after day.

8.        Max is sure that we all need a holiday.

9.        He knows that his grandparents always go to church on Sundays.

10.   It‘s remarkable that she thinks of Gerald as the black sheep of the family.

11.   He wants us to see that he is not hostile.

12.   We know that the bridge is unsafe.

13.   She can‘t understand why they are trying to talk her into taking a dance course.

14.   My sister agrees that she needs a shoulder to cry on.

15.   I can tell from her face that she is lying.

16.   We know that the company is reorganizing its departments.

 

Ex. 2

Open the brackets using the correct tense-form.

1.        My daughter wanted to see the new film. She found out that many good actors (star) in it.

2.        She complained that Jack always (get) on her nerves.

3.        We were not sure that Paul would find Mary. We were afraid he (not/know) her address.

4.        I didn‘t introduce Jack to Helen. I was sure they (know) each other, but it appeared they didn‘t.

5.        It was a pity he no longer (care) in the least about Pat.

6.        He proved to everyone‘s satisfaction that the drug (be) effective and harmless.

7.        I knew she usually (get) in such a fuss before people (come) to dinner.

8.        The Johnsons were away. We learnt that they (travel) about Canada.

9.        She stayed in the whole evening. We were sure she (expect) guests.

10.   I met Judy in the department store the other day. She explained that she (look) for a nice T-shirt for herself.

11.   She mentioned to her colleagues that she (think) of retiring.

12.   The teacher asked why we (not/read) up for our seminar.

13.   She complained that she (have) a memory like a sieve. She constantly (forget) something.

14.   The Prime Minister declared yesterday that the country (do) well. Things would get better soon.

15.   No one could guess that she (be) Russian by birth and British by marriage.

16.   Steve‘s parents were convinced that a lot of people (envy) his good looks and easy-going charm.

 

Ex. 3

Put the modal verbs into the correct form.

1.      She boasted that she … read when she was 3. (can)

2.      We decided that we … sit in the rear. (can)

3.      We couldn‘t believe that it … be so important, but it was. (may)

4.      It was clear that Helen … worry as Ken would not be late. (needn‘t)

5.      The policeman said we … park the car in this area. (mustn‘t)

6.      The coach said that I … train very hard to develop muscles like that. (must)

7.      I reminded Sheila that she … have trouble with her car, but she didn‘t believe me. (may)

8.    Steven insisted that he … to catch the plane whatever happened. (have)

9.     It was clear that all the passengers … wear seat belts. (must)

10.  We knew the machine … perform two million calculations per second.(can)

11.  Mary said she … join us as she had a meeting. (can‘t)

12.  I was sure she … work harder if she wanted to pass that examination. (must)

13.  He knew you … need money. Why didn‘t you take more? (may)

14.  She was sure that good cooking … disguise, but … improve the quality of the ingredients. (can, can‘t)

15.  Wilson dropped a hint that we … take their words to heart. (ought not to)

16.  They explained I … see the doctor first. (should)

17.  He thought that he … be in the office till ten the next morning. (needn‘t)

18.  The authority decided that busy roads … have a pedestrian subway so that people … cross the road safely. (should, can)

19.  It was evident they … control the situation. (can‘t)

20.  She said that we … think badly of her. (mustn‘t)

 

Ex. 4

Decide in which of the sentences the rule of the Sequence of Tenses may not be observed.

1.   This wallet is made of plastic not leather. Why did you try to persuade me it … leather?

2.   We had to hurry yesterday morning. Just as we arrived at the station, we heard an announcement that the train … about to leave.

3.   What did Barbara complain just now about? — She complained that her tooth … still aching.

4.   I was going to get a cup of coffee, but Mike just explained that the machine … out of order. It‘s going to be fixed tomorrow.

5.   I‘m surprised Emma lost her match against Sheila. I thought she … a much better player than Sheila.

6.   They announced on the radio that the Queen … coming here next month. Isn‘t that exciting?

7.   When the Chairman spoke to reporters yesterday, he admitted that the company … now in a much better financial position.

8.   The advertisement read that the swimming-pool … free, but when we got there, we found we had to pay.

 

II.  Prior Actions

 

Ex. 1

Open the brackets using the correct tense-form in the subordinate clause.

1.       When I came to the station I saw my cousin. I understood that she (miss) the 8 o‘clock train.

2.       Everybody praised the film. Mary was sorry she (not/see) it.

3.       It was raining hard. Mrs Parker regretted she (not/take) an umbrella.

4.       My friend called on me yesterday. He boasted he (get) two tickets for the match.

5.       Harry didn‘t come to the party. We thought he (not/receive) our invitation.

6.       We wanted to know where she (be) all that time.

7.       I found out that a professional singer (be engaged) for the concert some days before.

8.       Jack was happy to have got a ticket. He didn‘t complain he (stand) in a queue for 2 hours.

9.       The meeting was over at last. I looked at my watch and saw that we (discuss) the production plan for 3 hours.

10.   We knew they (have) the house since they (move) there.

11.   He explained that when he was born his parents (be married) for 12 years already.

12.   We heard on the radio that only a minority of people (vote) for him, so he (lose) the election finally.

13.   The family rejoiced that John and Helen officially (announce) their engagement.

14.   I was sure it was the first time she (lie) to us.

15.   Liz told me she (have) a really weird dream the previous night.

16.   The Cribbs complained they (have) dreadful weather lately.

17.   She couldn‘t tell us what she (spend) all her money on.

18.   Ann said she (try) to phone me since she (arrive) home.

19.   It suddenly crossed her mind that she (promise) to meet a friend that night.

20.   She remarked that John always (have) a tendency to exaggerate the importance of minor problems.

21.   He thought that I (interpret) his words wrongly.

22.   I realized that the police (not/reveal) the full details of the case.

 

Ex. 2

Choose the right adverbial.

1.         A few days (before, ago) we celebrated my mother‘s birthday. She was sorry her cousin wasn‘t present. He had gone away on business (yesterday, the day before).

2.         I gave my friend my pocket dictionary (last week, the week before) and he promised he would return it (tomorrow, the next day). He kept his promise.

3.         (Last month, the previous month) I saw John. He looked sunburnt. He had returned from the South (last week, the previous week).

4.         Dick spent last Sunday in the country. We were sure he had had a good time (this day, that day).

5.         When I was at Mary‘s some days (ago, before) she showed me a good pronouncing dictionary. She explained she had bought (this, that) dictionary in London 3 weeks (ago, before).

6.         I‘ve just phoned Bill and found out that he is leaving (tonight, that night).

7.         I saw Mary at 5 (yesterday, the day before). She regretted she was very busy (now, at that moment) and couldn‘t help me.

8.         He explained that he had rented the house 2 years (ago, before).

9.         They seemed to be working from dawn till dusk (this, that) summer.

10.    They informed us that the company had sent us all the details by express post three months (ago, before).

11.    We were sure that it was quite possible to buy (this, that) house on credit (last, the previous) year.

12.    Diana said (yesterday, the day before) that the last time she had seen Jean was 2 months

(ago, before).

13.    Tony‘s father told us that his son had been practising the clarinet (the previous night, the night ago).

14.    We learnt that Alex and Sally had ended their relationship about months (before, ago).

15.    He was sorry that he had made such a fool of himself (yesterday morning, the morning before).

 

Ex. 3

Answer the following questions expressing priority in the subordinate clauses and using the proper adverbials.

Loretta passed all her exams in June, didn‟t she? (be glad; well). Yes, (she did). She was glad that she had passed them all well.

1.   Jane found her cell-phone, didn‘t she? (explain; at her friend‘s)

2.   Alice met John at a disco, didn‘t she? (boast; two days ago)

3.   Linda danced a lot at the party, didn‘t she? (be happy; with Tom)

4.   Did Ann go to the theatre on Sunday? (find out; with her boy-friend)

5.   Did the boss force him into resigning? (complain; practically)

6.   What did he do with his digital watch? (explain; sell; the day before yesterday)

7.   Why did Grace join a drama club? (say; always; want to learn acting)

8.   Why did she make so many mistakes in the test? (learn; not/work hard)

9.   Why didn‘t she look very happy after her trip to Rome? (complain; not/see all the sights)

10.   Why is she hoovering the room again? (explain; the dog; leave hairs all over)

 

III.  Posterior Actions

 

Ex.1

Use the verbs in brackets in the correct tense-form.

1.      Nick didn‘t want to stay at his relatives. He explained he (put up) at a hotel.

2.      He predicted that he (discover) the tiny particle when he conducted his next experiment.

3.      I was not sure I (be able) to remember the exact details.

4.      I hoped that she (mature) as the years went by.

5.      I had always believed that one day I (see) him.

6.      The company promised that they (reimburse) our expenses.

7.      We decided that we (travel) to New York by sea rather than go by air.

8.      He insisted that the reforms (save) the system, not destroy it.

9.      Mrs Johnson was sure that she (still, work up) for that company the whole of next year.

10.   John explained that he (wait) for his ‗O‘-level exam results until next week.

11.   We agreed to go to the pictures yesterday evening. My friend promised he (wait) for me outside the cinema at 6.

12.   She was sure that her kids (like) a light breakfast.

13.   He was told that if he (want) to continue working for the company he (have to) smarten up his appearance.

14.   There was no doubt the government (make) every effort to avert an economic crisis.

15.   When she said she (not/give) me my money back I got furious.

 

Ex. 2

Open the brackets using the right adverbials.

1.       A couple of weeks ago my son asked me to take him to the circus. I promised that we would go there (next week, the next week).

2.       I ran into Mike last Sunday in a fast-food restaurant. It was a surprise to us that he was leaving (tomorrow, the next day) for Paris to participate in a forum.

3.       John promised me yesterday that he will drop in on my parents (next, the following)

Sunday and will tell them I‘m O.K.

4.       They‘ve just announced that the exam on Linguistics will be put off till the end of (next, the next) term.

5.       There was very strong hope that the wounded man would survive by (next, the next)

morning.

6.       Clare told Alan that they were allowed to pay the bills (in two days, two days later).

7.       I had intended to visit Helen in hospital last Friday, but her husband phoned me on Thursday and said that the doctors would discharge her from hospital (the day after tomorrow, in two days‟ time).

8.       Last year he definitely promised his wife that (next, the next) summer they would spend at the seaside.

9.       We arrived in Turin on Monday. (Next, the following) day we left for Rome.

10.   That summer was very wet. (Next, the next) summer was even wetter.

11.   I quite forgot that (the day after tomorrow, in two days‟ time) we were leaving for the South.

12.   The students understood they didn‘t have to leave until (the next day, tomorrow).

 

Ex. 3

Pick out the correct variant. There may be more than one correct choice.

1.           Ben promised (that)

a)         he is not late;

b)         he had not been late;

c)         he wouldn‘t be late.

 

2.           The Prime Minister announced last year (that)

a)            the country will be doing well;

b)           the country is doing well;

c)            the country would be doing well.

 

3.           Adrian explained (that)

a)            he is having a party last week-end;

b)           he was having a party two days before;

c)            he would be having a party the following week.

 

4.           Gavin didn‘t know (that)

a)  he must answer the letter tomorrow;

b) he would have to answer the letter the following day

c)  he has to answer the letter long ago.

 

5.           Jim explained (that)

a)  he can‘t come to the party last Friday;

b) he couldn‘t come to the party the previous Friday;

c)  he wouldn‘t be able to come to the party this time.

 

6.           The farmer had hoped (that)

a)  his crops would be better the following summer;

b) his crops were better the following summer;

c)  his crops had been better the following summer.

 

7.           All the students knew (that)

a)  a molecule of water would have two atoms of hydrogen and one of oxygen;

b) a molecule of water has two atoms of hydrogen and one of oxygen;

c)  a molecule of water had two atoms of hydrogen and one of oxygen.