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The Sequence of TENSES

The document discusses the sequence of tenses in English grammar. It explains that the tense used in a time clause depends on whether the action it describes is simultaneous or prior to the main clause. For simultaneous actions, the present tense is used. For prior actions, the present perfect tense is used in time clauses with a past tense main clause. The tense in direct object clauses also depends on the tense of the main clause.

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Diana Hodas
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937 views

The Sequence of TENSES

The document discusses the sequence of tenses in English grammar. It explains that the tense used in a time clause depends on whether the action it describes is simultaneous or prior to the main clause. For simultaneous actions, the present tense is used. For prior actions, the present perfect tense is used in time clauses with a past tense main clause. The tense in direct object clauses also depends on the tense of the main clause.

Uploaded by

Diana Hodas
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
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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THE SEQUENCE OF TENSES

MAIN CLAUSE TIME CLAUSE simultaneous actions a) Future Present Eg: Ill go there when I have time. prior actions (in Time clauses) a) Future Present Present Perfect Eg: Ill go there after I have finished my lunch. b) Past Tense Past Perfect Eg: He went there after he had finished lunch. MAIN CLAUSE simultaneous actions Past Tense Eg: The said DIRECT OBJECT CLAUSE (that) (that) Past Tense he was hungry. Past Perfect he had seen the film.

prior actions
Past Tense Eg: He said

MAIN CLAUSE DIRECT OBJECT CLAUSE posterior actions Past Tense Future - in - the - Past Eg: They promised they would come. Present Future any tense which is required Present Perfect Eg: He says (that) he has seen Mary. eill meet etc.

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