- •Тема 9. Sequence of tenses.
- •Direct and indirect speech
- •1. Choose the most appropriate answer.
- •2. Fill in the blanks using appropriate verb forms. Observe the rule of the sequence of tenses.
- •3. Rewrite the sentences in the past tense, paying attention to the Sequence of Tenses.
- •4. Report the following sentences, using the model.
- •5. Complete the sentences with some advice!
- •6. Combine the sentences, using the words in brackets.
Тема 9. Sequence of tenses.
Tense in Main/ Independent Clause |
Purpose of / Tense in Dependent Clause |
Example(s) |
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1. If the verb in the principal clause is in the present or the future tense, the verb in the subordinate clause may be in any tense |
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Simple Present |
to show same-time action, use the present tense |
I am eager to go to the concert because I love the Wallflowers. |
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to show earlier action, use past tense |
I know that I made the right choice. |
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to show a period of time extending from some point in the past to the present, use the present perfect tense. |
They believe that they have elected the right candidate. |
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to show action to come, use the future tense. |
The President says that he will veto the bill. |
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If the tense in the principal clause is in the past tense, the tense in the subordinate clause will be in the corresponding past tense. |
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Simple Past |
to show another completed past action, use the past tense. |
I wanted to go home because I missed my parents. |
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to show an earlier action, use the past perfect tense. |
She knew she had made the right choice. |
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to state a general truth, use the present tense. |
The Deists believed that the universe is like a giant clock. |
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to show action to come later, use the future-in-the-past tense. |
The President said that he would veto the bill. |
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Present Perfect or Past Perfect |
for any purpose, use the past tense. |
She has grown a foot since she turned nine. The crowd had turned nasty before the sheriff returned. |
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Future |
to show action happening at the same time, use the present tense. |
I will be so happy if they fix my car today. |
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to show an earlier action, use the past tense. |
You will surely pass this exam if you studied hard. |
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to show future action earlier than the action of the independent clause, use the present perfect tense. |
The college will probably close its doors next summer if enrollments have not increased. |
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we do not use future tense after when, until, before, after etc |
I will call you when dinner is ready. I shall wait until you return |
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Future Perfect |
for any purpose, use the present tense or present perfect tense. |
Most students will have taken sixty credits by the time they graduate. Most students will have taken sixty credits by the time they have graduated. |
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Exceptions |
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Past Tense |
to expresses some universal truth, we may use present tense |
Copernicus proved that the earth moves round the sun. Newton discovered that the force of gravity pulls all bodies to the Earth. He forgot what temperature Fahrenheit water freezes/boils. |
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to inform about a timetable, law or order, we may use present tense |
He said the train arrives at 6 p.m. He learned that the hotel concierge usually locked the front door at midnight. She found out that he still worked at a bank. |
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after the conjunction of purpose THAT |
I study that I may pass. I will study that I may pass. I studied that I might pass. We eat that we may live. He ate that he might not die. |
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Expressions such as if only, as if, it is time and wish that are usually followed by past tenses. |
I wish I was a bit taller. It is time we started working. He talks as if he knew everything. |