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The Sequence of Tenses in A Nutshell

The document discusses the sequence of tenses in English grammar. It outlines three basic rules for using tenses in main and subordinate clauses. It also discusses exceptions to rules two and three, and provides examples of tenses used in different sentence types including conditional sentences, clauses of purpose, and the present and past spheres.

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AlexandraMurariu
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309 views

The Sequence of Tenses in A Nutshell

The document discusses the sequence of tenses in English grammar. It outlines three basic rules for using tenses in main and subordinate clauses. It also discusses exceptions to rules two and three, and provides examples of tenses used in different sentence types including conditional sentences, clauses of purpose, and the present and past spheres.

Uploaded by

AlexandraMurariu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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© ALBU

The Sequence of Tenses in a Nutshell

Basic Rule I:
PRESENT + ANY TENSE

Basic Rule II:


PAST + PAST

Basic Rule III:


DO NOT USE shall, should, will, would
in subordinate clauses of time and condition
What exceptions to rules II and III can you find?

‘The Present Sphere’


Main Clause Subordinate Clause
I know that he is in Iaşi.
I have heard that he has been in Iaşi for three days.
She will soon find out that he had been in Iaşi before getting married.
Tell her that he will soon be in Iaşi.
that in two months’ time he will have completed his training.

“The Past Sphere”


PAST PERFECT SIMPLE PAST
Jack had spent two hours on the problem when Jack spent two hours on the problem before he
he gave up. (The sequence of events is reflected in gave up. (The sequence of events is expressed by
the verb tenses. The first event is expressed in the the use of the time word before. The past perfect
past perfect.) can be used optionally: Jack had spent two hours
on the problem before he gave up.)

CONDITIONAL SENTENCES
Main Clause Conditional Clause
Sentence Type I (ST I) PRESENT/FUTURE PRESENT (including PRESENT
IMPERATIVE PERFECT for prior actions)
Sentence Type II (ST II) PRESENT CONDITIONAL PAST
Sentence Type III (ST III) PAST CONDIOTIONAL PAST PERFECT

Clauses of Purpose (Final Clauses)


Main Clause Connective Subordinate Clause of Purpose
so that (the commonest) will/can (common) /may(formal)/
PRESENT shall(rare) + INFINITIVE
PRESENT PERFECT in order that (formal) may(formal)/shall(rare) + INFINITIVE
FUTURE that (rare)
IMPERATIVE in case (informal) PRESENT TENSE or
should + INFINITIVE (less usual)
so that would/could/might/should + INFINITIVE
PAST TENSE in case PAST TENSE or
PAST PERFECT should + INFINITIVE
lest (formal) should + INFINITIVE

Discuss further details and examples with your teacher

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