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THE SEQUENCE OF TENSES

In the English language, the tense of the verb in a subordinate clause usually depends on the tense of the verb in
the main clause, this is known as the sequence of tenses.
The sequence of tenses is a very complex phenomenon, and in order to know it one must know the different
functions of the verbal tenses and the different verbal forms. The rules of the sequence of tenses are observed
particularly in literary English.

1. Nominal and Relative Clauses
A. Object Clauses (Direct, Indirect, Prepositional)
a) Present tense in the main clause:
after one of the present tenses in the main clause, the verb in the object clause is conditioned exclusively by the
speakers intention:
He believes Mary knows all about it.
He believes Mary knew all about it.
He believes Mary has heard of it.
He believes Mary will do something about it.
He believes Mary would like to see it.
He believes Mary would have liked to participate.
if the verb in the main clause expresses a request, a proposition or suggestion, an agreement, insistence, an order,
etc., the verb in the object clause is used in the analytical subjunctive built with should (the form is more common in
British English) or in the synthetical present subjunctive:
I suggested that she should go there at once. / I suggested that she go there at once.
The students request that the exam should be postponed. / The students request that the exam be postponed.
if the verb in the main clause expresses a feeling of regret, surprise, disappointment, etc., the verb in the object
clause is either in one of the tenses of the indicative mood or in the analytical subjunctive built with should +
indefinite infinitive, for a simultaneous action, or should + perfect infinitive, for an anterior action:
I am surprised that you like it.
I am amazed that you will leave so early.
I am disappointed that she has already left.
I am astonished that you left so early.
I am sorry that you should leave so early.
I regret that you should have left so early.
the verb wish requires the synthetical past subjunctive, in order to express regret for an unfulfilled wish in the
present, or the synthetical past perfect subjunctive, in order to express regret about some action (not) carried out in
the past:
Mary wishes John were present.
Mary wishes John hadnt gone away.
The modal auxiliary would may be used after wish, to indicate irritation or that people or events frustrate our desires:
I wish she would be more careful.
b) Future tense in the main clause:
after a verb in the future tense in the main clause, the verb of the object clause is conditioned logically. However, the
idea of future in the secondary clause is expressed with the help of the present tense:
I shall ask her what she knows.
I shall inform you all about what I find there.
She will tell me how it happened.
You will find out who else had been there.
c) Past tense in the main clause:
in order to express simultaneousness of past actions, the past tense in the main clause is correlated with a past tense
in the object clause:
I asked him where the dictionary was.
We wondered whether he could solve this right away.
The present tense may occur in the object clause if some general truth is expressed in it:
We all knew that English is an analytical language.
in order to express anteriority of the action in the object clause to the past action in the main clause, the past perfect
indicative is used in the subordinate clause:
She told me that she had already solved the matter.
I heard that the teacher had been called away.
in order to express posteriority of the action in the object clause to the past action in the main clause, the future-in-
the-past is employed in the secondary clause:
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He asked whether I would go to a movie with him.
They promised that they would take immediate steps.
when the past tense verb in the main clause expresses a request, a proposition or suggestion, an agreement,
insistence, an order, etc., the verb in the object clause is in the analytical subjunctive built with should or in the
present synthetical subjunctive:
He agreed that the matter should be considered closed.
We insisted that someone from the management be present.
With some of the verbs, however, if the subordinate clause refers to a real fact, the past tense of the indicative mood
may be used in order to express simultaneity if the actions or the past perfect in order to express the anteriority of
the action in the object clause:
We agreed that this was really important and could not be postponed.
We insisted that he had been present during the discussions.
if the verb in the main clause expresses a feeling of regret, surprise, disappointment, etc., the verb in the object
clause is either in one of the past tenses of the indicative mood (the past tense, for a simultaneous action, the past
perfect for an anterior action), in the future-in-the-past (for a future or posterior action) or in the analytical
subjunctive built with should + indefinite infinitive, for a simultaneous action, or should + perfect infinitive, for an
anterior action:
I was disappointed that he did not show up.
He regretted that Mary hadnt had time to talk to him.
I was sorry that he would not be able to attend.
Mary was surprised that he should act like that.
He was shocked that I should have behaved like that.
the verb wish in the past tense and the modal phrases d rather, d sooner in the main clause require the past
synthetical subjunctive in the object clause in order to refer to an unfulfilled wish in the present; the use of the past
perfect synthetical subjunctive is also possible, in order to express ones regret about some unfulfilled action in the
past:
I wished he were present.
Id rather you didnt read it now.
Hed sooner I visited her.
She wished she had never met me.
Id rather they hadnt said a word.
Would you sooner that I had left earlier?
B. Subject Clauses
a) Present tense in the main clause:
after a present tense in the main clause, the verb of the subject clause is conditioned logically, if it refers to a real or
quite possible action:
It is important that you are here.
It is wonderful that you have visited France.
It is surprising that he was awarded a medal.
It is certain that winter will be mild.
It is a wonder that he hasnt failed.
It is a surprise to us that he hadnt been afraid.
evaluative adjectives in the main clause, which express the speakers attitude to the contents of the subject clause
(advisable, amazing, annoying, certain, desirable, fair, gratifying, important, inevitable, natural, necessary, pitiful,
shameful, strange, surprising, unbelievable, wonderful, etc.) or some of the nouns from which these adjectives are
derived (necessity, pity, shame, surprise, wonder) may require the use of the present synthetical subjunctive or of the
analytical subjunctive built with should in the subject clause, in order to express a simultaneous action:
It is advisable that he do it at once.
It is desirable that everybody should take part in this event.
It is a pity that you should miss that part.
In order to express anteriority, should followed by the perfect infinitive is used:
It is absolutely surprising that he should not have answered your letter.
It is gratifying that she should have remembered about it.
It is a shame that they should have been forced to leave.
after it is possible/probable, the verb in the subject clause is in the analytical subjunctive built with may; however,
should is also possible:
It is probable that someone may object to the idea.
Is it possible that he should think differently?
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after its (high/about) time, the verb in the subject clause is in the synthetical past subjunctive for present time
reference:
It is high time you knew these rules.
It is about time (that) he were told about it.
b) Past tense in the main clause:
in order to express simultaneity with a past action occurring in the main clause, the verb in the subject clause is in
the past tense indicative, for something real:
It was unbelievable that he did not know the word.
in order to express anteriority to a past action occurring in the main clause, the verb in the subject clause is in the
past perfect tense, indicative, for something real:
It was sure that she had heard a noise.
in order to express an action posterior to the past action occurring in the main clause, the future-in-the-past is used in
the subject clause:
It came as no surprise that she would be accepted by that college.
evaluative adjectives in the main clause (see above) or some of the nouns from which these adjectives are derived
may require the use of the analytical subjunctive built with should in the subject clause, in order to express a
simultaneous action:
It was advisable that everybody should take part in this event.
It was a necessity that you should talk to the director.
In order to express anteriority, should followed by the perfect infinitive is used:
It was absolutely amazing that he should not have congratulated you.
It was irritating that they should have forgotten all about it.
It was a shame that they should have been forced to leave.
after it was possible/probable, the verb in the subject clause is in the analytical subjunctive built with might;
however, should is also possible:
It was probable that he might not call the hospital.
Was it possible that he should go away by the night train?
after it was (high/about) time, the verb in the subject clause is in the synthetical past perfect subjunctive for a past
time reference:
I was about time we had been told about it.
c) The future tense hardly ever occurs in the main clause
C. Predicative Clauses
They observe the basic rules of the sequence of tenses: after the present tense in the main clause, any tense
dictated by logic can be employed in the subordinate clause; after the past tense in the main clause, the simultaneity of
actions is expressed by a past tense in the predicative clause, the relation of anteriority of the action in the predicative
clause is indicated by the past perfect, while the posteriority of the action in the subordinate clause is rendered with the
help of the future-in-the-past:
The problem is that he likes sweets.
The truth is he never went there.
The report is that they will never give up.
The fact is that I have seen this before.
That was what everybody thought.
The rumour was that he had smashed the door open.
His only hope was that somebody would find a solution.

D. Relative Clauses
In relative clauses the tenses of the verb is always conditioned logically by the speakers intention; the past
tense in the main clause may be followed by the present in the relative clause:
I know the person whose purse was stolen.
Ill never forget the day when I was awarded a prize.
John had bought the ring that she is wearing for me.
The book you can see on my desk was offered as a consolation prize.

2. Adverbial Clauses (I)
A. Adverbial Clauses of Condition
a) In the case of real or open condition, the verb in the main clause may be in the present, past or future indicative or in
the imperative; the verb of the secondary clause is logically conditioned:
If he isnt here, he is at home.
If you speak English, please translate what he is saying.
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If you have met her, you know how smart she is.
I am sure that if he was ill, he called the doctor.
However, the future tense never occurs in the conditional clause; instead, the present tense is used for a relation of
simultaneousness and the present perfect or the past for a relation of anteriority:
Nobody will invite you anywhere if you behave like that.
If you have read the instructions carefully, youll have no problem in finding the place.
If he left half an hour ago, he will be here soon.
When the verb of the clause on which the conditional clause depends is in the future-in-the-past, in the conditional
clause simultaneousness is expressed by the past tense, and anteriority by the past perfect:
I told her that nobody would invite her anywhere if she behaved like that.
I was sure that she should have no problem in finding the place if she had read the instructions carefully.
When will occurs in the conditional clause, it is not an auxiliary helping to form the future tense, but a modal
auxiliary, expressing willingness:
If you will do this for me, I will be extremely grateful.
If you will only listen to me, you will understand our problem.
b) The present conditional in the main clause is correlated with the past tense of the synthetical subjunctive in the
conditional clause in order to express simultaneousness of present or future actions that are hypothetical and
improbable:
If he were smart, he would leave right away.
I should/would think it over if I were you.
You wouldnt get there in time if you started so late.
c) The past conditional in the main clause is correlated with the past perfect of the synthetical subjunctive in the
Conditional clause in order to express simultaneousness of some unfulfilled past actions that are hypothetical and
impossible:
If I had known, I would have told you.
If she had been seen, a big scandal would have broken out.
When would and should occur in the conditional clause, they are not auxiliaries helping to form the conditional but
modal auxiliary verbs; the former expresses willingness and the latter high improbability:
If you would hold the door open, I would take these things out.
If you would only have helped me, I should have felt less tired.
If you should be free this weekend, let me know.
If he should call, I would be very pleased.
d) Sometimes, the time reference of the main clause verb may be different from the time reference of the conditional
clause verb; in this case the two clauses display mixed tenses. Also, one of the verbs may express a real action and
the other a hypothetical action:
If I hadnt talked to him, I wouldnt know what to do now.
He would have helped me, if he were somewhat smarter.
I would invite both of them, if you allow me.
If John should be successful, I shall be extremely glad.
e) The conjunction may be absent from the conditional clause; in this case, inversion takes place between the subject
and one of the auxiliaries were, had, or should:
Were she sleeping now, there wouldnt be so much noise in the other room.
Were he to arrive earlier, nobody would know what to do.
Had you known English well, things would have been much simpler.
Had they more common sense, life would be more bearable.
Should it rain again tomorrow, we would no longer go on the trip.
Besides if, conditional clause may be introduced by such conjunctions as if only, in case, on condition (that),
provided/providing (that), suppose/supposing (that), as long as, so long as, unless:
In case he calls, I shall talk to him.
Suppose/Supposing he didnt do it, would you take any steps?
You could go there so long as/as long as you behaved yourself.
He would go there provided that I paid his travel expenses.
I wouldnt have done it unless it had been very important.

B. Adverbial Clauses of Place, of Reason or Cause, of Result
The tense of the verb in these adverbial clauses is conditioned logically by the verb in the main clause:
a) Clauses of place:
Ill go where you say/where you have sent me/ where he was last year.
He was met where everybody could see him.
I moved it away from where you had put it.
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b) Clauses of reason/cause:
Im not going anywhere, as it is raining hard.
I shant be able to do it, since the instructions were very confusing.
As he was away, we had to manage by ourselves.
When the adverbial clause of reason/cause is introduced by for fear (that), the verb is in the analytical subjunctive
mood, built with may/might:
She is suspicious for fear that someone else may move in.
We were speaking in whispers for fear that she might hear us.
c) Clauses of result/consecutive clauses:
She is so intelligent that everybody is impressed.
The hall was so crowded that I couldnt get in.
The teacher spoke so beautifully, that we shall never forget it.
Finally some help arrived, so that we were able to finish everything in time.
C. Adverbial Clauses of Purpose
a) Present tense, future tense of the imperative mood in the main clause:
when the verb in the main clause is in the present or future tense or in the imperative mood, the verb in the
subordinate clause is in the analytical subjunctive built with may, can, will:
I get up early so that I may arrive in time.
Im going to hire some help, so that we may/can move the furniture.
I shall open the window so that there will be more fresh air in the room.
Remember to bring a bottle, so that we may celebrate.
b) Past tense in the main clause:
if the verb in the main clause is in the past tense, the verb of the subordinate clause is in the analytical subjunctive
built with might, could, would:
I turned off the TV so that I might hear what she was saying.
He borrowed some money so that he could buy me a present.
They worked last weekend so that they would be completely free this weekend.
if the subordinate clause is negative, should may also be employed, irrespective of the tense in the main clause.
When the subordinate clause is introduced by the negative conjunction lest, the use of should is obligatory:
She is always in a hurry so that she shouldnt miss the morning train.
Make sure you put the milk in the fridge so that it shouldnt turn sour.
I wrote her name on a piece of paper lest I should forget it.

3. Adverbial Clauses (II)

A. Adverbial Clauses of Time
a) Present tense in the main clause:
when the verb in the main clause is in the present tense, the tense of the verb in the adverbial clause of time is also
present. Usually both verbs express an action characterised by repetition or frequency:
Before I leave, I (usually) check all the locks.
When he arrives in the evening, he is very tired.
if the adverbial clause of time is introduced by since, the present perfect is used in the main clause, and the past tense
in the subordinate one:
We havent met since we graduated from high school.
occasionally, the main clause verb (to be) may be in the present tense, after It+a period of time:
It is two days since I talked to him.
b) Past tense in the main clause:
when the verb in the main clause is in the past tense, the verb in the secondary clause may be:
- in the past tense, in order to express simultaneousness of actions:
When the storm started, I was in the back yard.
He was reading the newspaper while I was cooking.
- in the past perfect, in order to express anteriority to the action in the main clause:
He went to bed after he had switched off all the lights.
c) Past perfect tense in the main clause:
In the adverbial clauses of time introduced by the conjunction when (correlated with the adverbs hardly or scarcely
in the main clause) and than (correlated with the adverb no sooner in the main clause), the tense employed is the
past, while the tense of the main clause is usually the past perfect:
He had hardly begun our talk/Hardly had we begun our talk, when someone knocked at the door.
John had scarcely left the building/Scarcely had John left the building, when the mobile rang.
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He had no sooner arrived/No sooner had he arrived than he started to look for the lost keys.
the conjunctions before and until (till) allow for the use of either the past tense or the past perfect in the main clause:
The lecture began/had begun before John got to the main hall.
Not a word was uttered until he (had) confessed.
Until he confessed I hadnt realised that he was guilty.
d) Future tense in the main clause:
after a future tense in the main clause, no future tense is allowed in the adverbial clause. The following tenses may
be used instead:
- the present tense, in order to express simultaneousness of actions:
He will do it when he has time.
I shall listen to your story while I am ironing.
- the present perfect, to express anteriority of the action in the adverbial clause to the action in the main clause:
I shall give you a call when I have finished my class.
- the past tense, in order to indicate simultaneousness with an action expressed by a verb in the future-in-the-past:
He promised he would do it when he had time.
She promised that she would be listening to my story while she was ironing.
- the past perfect, in order to indicate anteriority to an action expressed by a verb in the future-in-the-past:
John said he would give me a call when he had finished his class.

B. Adverbial Clauses of Concession
a) The verb in the adverbial clause of concession is usually logically conditioned by the verb of the main clause:
Although she is extremely intelligent, her grades are not very high.
We shall help him, although he was not particularly nice to us.
Although I have come across such situations repeatedly, I still dont know how to solve them.
b) In order to express simultaneousness of actions, the future tense in the main clause is followed by the present tense
indicative:
I shall send the article, no matter what the consequences are.
c) In order to underline the idea of supposition or hypothesis, the verb in the clause of concession is used in the
analytical subjunctive built with may, might:
Whoever you may be, please observe the rules of the house.
I told her that, whatever she might say, I would not believe her.
Whichever you may choose, he will agree to buy it for you.
Although it may be late, we need to finish this.
d) Even if and even though introduce a concessive clause whose verb is in the synthetical subjunctive:
Even if I invited her, she would not join us.
Even though he were absent, nobody would notice it.
e) The concessive clause is not always introduced by a conjunction or by a wh-ever word; it may also have the
following structures, in which the analytical subjunctive built with may, might is used:
It may be late, but I have to stay and finish this.
Long as his story may have been, it was extremely interesting.
Be that as it may, I am not going to give up.
Try as he might, he was not able to join them in time.

C. Adverbial Clauses of Manner
The verb in an adverbial clause of manner is logically conditioned by the verb in the main clause:
He will do it exactly as he has been told.
Mary behaved just as she had always seen us behave in similar circumstances.
She has better grades than she had last year.
This young man writes better than he speaks.
The food is not so bad as you think/thought.
The more he thought of it, the less he liked the idea.
The fewer we are, the better it will be.
The clauses introduced by as if, as though behave in the following way: they have their verb in the synthetical
past subjunctive, to express a simultaneous action with a present or a past tense action in the main clause:
He speaks English as if he were an Englishman.
She behaved as though she were a queen.
They have their verb in the synthetical past perfect subjunctive, in order to express an action anterior to a
present or a past tense action in the main clause:
She looks as if she had seen a ghost.
I felt as if I had climbed a mountain.