Sequence of tenses

Sequence of tenses

1. AJIT SINGH
ENGLISH TRAINER

2. When Main clause is in Present Indefinite
Tensethen Subordinate Clause will be in
Future Indefinite Tense
Ex. I thinkit’ll raintoday.
He knowsthat he will not come to the class
today.

3. When Main Clause is in Past Perfect Tense
then Subordinate Clause will be in Past
Indefinite Tense.
Ex. He had gone before I reachedhome.
The boss had left before they wentto his
office.

4. When Main Clause follows Would/Could
V1, in this case Subordinate Clause will be
followed by Past Indefinite Tense.
Ex. She would tell you if you askedher.
He would disclose the truth if I did not make
him understand.

5. When Main Clause follows Would/ Could Have +
V3, in this case Subordinate Clause will be
followed by Past Perfect Tense.
Ex. I would have helped him if he had asked for
help.
They would have breached the contract if I had not
convincedthem.

6. When Main Clause follows Past Indefinite Tense
and there is Universal Truth in Subordinate
Clause, in this case the Subordinate Clausewill
always follow Present Indefinite Tense.
Ex. I toldhim that ‘The sun rises in the East’.
He saidthat ‘Live and Let live’ is a good principle.

7. When Main Clause follows Past Indefinite
Tensein that case the Subordinate Clause
will also follow Past Indefinite Tense.
Ex. He toldme that he went to see cinema.
She inquiredif he stoleher pen.