The Rules of the Sequence of Tenses

The Sequence of Tenses    Original Tense                Changed to....

Present         -       Past

Present Continuous         -        Past Continuous

Past        -        Past Perfect

Present Perfect        -        Past Perfect

will        -        would

can        -        could

may       -        might

The tense of a verb in the subordinate clause changes in accordance with the tense of the verb in the main clause.

The basic rules are as follows:

Rule 1

When the verb in the principal (main) clause is in the present or future tense, the verb in the subordinate clause may be in any tense that the context requires.

           Examples:

•  I maintain (main clause) that he is honest (subordinate clause).
•  I maintain that he was honest.
• I maintain that he will be honest.
• I shall maintain (main clause) that he is honest (subordinate clause).
• I shall maintain that he was honest.
• I shall maintain that he will be honest.

Exception:

Conditional and time clauses generally take a Verb in the Present Tense and not in the Future.

          Examples:

• You will catch (Future) the train, if (condition) you run (Present) fast.
• I shall be (Future) very glad, if (condition) you come. (Present)
• I will call you when (time) dinner is ready. (Present)
• I shall wait until (time) you return. (Present)

Rule 2

When the principal (main) clause is in the past tense, the verb in the subordinate clause also should be in the past tense.

            Examples:

• He said (main clause) that he was not guilty (subordinate clause).
• He asked (main clause) whether he might go home (subordinate clause).
• She was so weak (main clause) that she could not stand (subordinate clause).

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.

                Examples:

• Copernicus proved (main clause) that the earth moves round the sun (subordinate clause).
• The preacher said (main clause) that there is only one God (subordinate clause).
• The teacher said (main clause) that honesty is always the best policy (subordinate clause).

(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.

            Examples:

• He didn’t get the job because his English isn’t good.
• A fishing village once existed where now lies the city of Mumbai.

(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.

            Examples:

• Yesterday I met a man who sells balloons.
• Yesterday I met a man who sold me a balloon.

(d) When the Subordinate Clause begins with ‘as if or ‘as though’, ‘if only’, ‘it is time’ and ‘wish that’ the Verb in the Past Tense means the Present Tense.

            Examples:

• He talks as if he were mad.
• She scolded me as if I were her servant.
• He talks as if he knew everything.
• I wish I was a bit taller.
• It is time we started working.

Note: ‘As if’ or ‘as though’ are followed by ‘were’.

            Example:

•  She treats her young harshly, as if they were not hers.

Exercises on the Sequence of Tenses

Elementary level

Exercise 1. Choose the most appropriate answer.Exercise 2. Complete the sentences.Exercise 3. Complete with the verbs in the right tense.Exercise 5. Choose from the dropdown menu and mind the sequence of tenses of the reporting verbs.Exercise 6. Choose the right verb.Exercise 7. Complete the sentences in reported speech, minding the sequence of tenses.Exercise 8. Complete the sentences in reported speech, minding the sequence of tenses.Exercise 9. Complete the sentences in reported speech, minding the sequence of tenses.Exercise 10. Complete the sentences in reported speech, minding the sequence of tenses.

Intermediate level

Exercise 1. Take the quiz on the sequence of tenses.Exercise 2. Take the quiz on the sequence of tenses.Exercise 3. Choose the correct form of the verb.Exercise 4. Read the sentences and choose the correct answer.Exercise 5. Choose the most appropriate answer.Exercise 6. Complete the sentences, minding the sequence of tenses.Exercise 7. Choose the correct tense form of the verb.Exercise 8. Complete the sentences in reported speech, minding the sequence of tenses.Exercise 9. Take the quiz on the sequence of tenses.Exercise 10. Choose the correct tense.

Advanced level

Exercise 1. Change the verbs in the following sentences from the past tense to the present tense.Exercise 2. Choose the correct tense.Exercise 3. Take the quiz on the sequence of tenses.Exercise 4. Take the quiz on the sequence of tenses.Exercise 5. Choose the correct tense form of the verb.Exercise 6. Take the verb tense quiz.Exercise 7. Take the quiz on the sequence of tenses.Exercise 8. Complete questions below with the appropriate tenses.Exercise 9. Use the formal sequence of tenses to change the tense.Exercise 10. Transform the sentences into reported speech, minding the sequence of tenses.