The Sequence of Tenses
As a student, it is important to have a clear understanding of grammar rules, including the sequence of tenses. This grammar rule can be tricky to master, but it is essential for clear and effective writing.
In this article, we will explore the sequence of tenses in-depth and provide examples to help you better understand this grammar rule.
What is the sequence of tenses?
The sequence of tenses is a grammatical rule that dictates how tenses should be used in a sentence when there are two or more clauses. In short, it requires that the tense used in the main clause dictates the tense used in the dependent clause.
In general, the sequence of tenses dictates that when the main clause is in the past tense, the dependent clause should also be in the past tense. Similarly, when the main clause is in the present tense, the dependent clause should also be in the present tense. And when the main clause is in the future tense, the dependent clause should also be in the future tense.
Examples
Let’s look at some examples to understand the sequence of tenses better.
| Example | Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | John said that he is hungry. | John said that he was hungry. | The main clause is in the past tense (“John said”), so the dependent clause should also be in the past tense (“he was hungry”). Using the present tense (“he is hungry”) would be incorrect according to the sequence of tenses. |
| #2 | If I will have time tomorrow, I will call you. | If I have time tomorrow, I will call you. | The main clause is in the future tense (“I will call you”), so the dependent clause should also be in the future tense (“If I have time tomorrow”). Using “will have” instead of “have” in the dependent clause breaks the sequence of tenses and is therefore incorrect. |
| #3 | She told me that she will go to the store. | She told me that she would go to the store. | The main clause is in the past tense (“She told me”), so the dependent clause should also be in the past tense (“she would go to the store”). Using the future tense (“she will go to the store”) breaks the sequence of tenses and is therefore incorrect. |
Exceptions
While the sequence of tenses is generally a strict rule, there are some exceptions to the rule. One common exception is when the verb in the dependent clause is a universal truth or a fact that is always true.
For example:
Incorrect: She said that the sun rises in the west.
Correct: She said that the sun rises in the east.
In this example, the main clause is in the past tense (“She said”), but the dependent clause uses the present tense (“the sun rises in the east”). This is because the fact that the sun rises in the east is always true, regardless of the time frame.
Understanding the sequence of tenses is essential for clear and effective writing. Remember that when writing sentences with multiple clauses, the tense used in the main clause should dictate the tense used in the dependent clause. While there are some exceptions to the rule, it is generally a strict grammatical rule that should be followed to ensure clear and correct writing.
By following the examples and guidelines provided in this article, you will be well on your way to mastering the sequence of tenses.