Случаи отклонения от правил согласования времен

1) Если глагол-сказуемое в дополнительном придаточ­ном предложении выражает общеизвестный факт, он может быть выражен Present Simple и в том случае, когда глагол-сказуемое главного предложения стоит в прошедшем времени:

• The teacher told the children that the earth goes round the sun. – Учитель сказал детям, что Земля вращается вокруг Солнца.

2) Глагол-сказуемое в определительных, причинных, а также сравнительных придаточных предложениях может употребляться во временах Present и Future несмотря на то, что глагол-сказуемое главного пред­ложения стоит в прошедшем времени:

• He told me about the article you are writing now. – Он рассказал мне о статье, которую ты пи­шешь.

• Не was not able to come because he is very busy. – Он не смог прийти, потому что очень занят.

• Last year I worked less than I work now. – В прошлом году я работал меньше, чем я работаю сейчас.

3) Глаголы must, should, ought употребляются в прида­точном предложении независимо от того, в каком времени стоит глагол-сказуемое главного предложе­ния.

• I tell (told) her that she must consult a doctor. – Я говорю (сказал) ей, что ей следует посоветоваться с врачом.

Exercises

Ex. 1. Translate into Russian.

1. I knew that you were ill. 2. I knew that you had been ill. 3. We found that she left home at eight o’clock every morning. 4. We found that she had left home at eight o’clock that morning. 5. When he learnt that his son always received excellent marks in all the subjects at school, he was very pleased. 6. When he learnt that his son had received an excellent mark at school, he was very pleased. 7. We didn’t know where our friends went every evening. 8. We didn’t know where our friends had gone. 9. She said that her best friend was a doctor. 10. She said that her best friend had been a doctor. 11. I didn’t know that you worked at the Hermitage. 12. I didn’t know that you had worked at the Hermitage.

Ex. 2. Open the brackets choosing the right form.

1. He said he (is staying, was staying) at the “Ritz” Hotel. 2. They realized that they (lost, had lost) their way in the dark. 3. He asked me where I (study, studied). 4. I thought that I (will finish, would finish) my work at that time. 5. He says he (works, worked) at school two years ago. 6. Tom said he (is, was) very busy. 7. My friend asked me who (is playing, was playing) the piano in the sitting room. 8. He said he (will come, would come) to the station to see me off. 9. I was sure he (posted, had posted) the letter. 10. I think the weather (will be, would be) fine next week. 11. I knew he (is, was) a very clever man. 12. I want to know what he (has bought, had bought) for her birthday. 13. I asked my sister to tell me what she (has seen, had seen) at the museum.

Ex. 3. Write compound sentences.

Example: He posted the letter. (I was sure.) – I was sure he had posted the letter.

1. The children are plying in the yard. (She thought) 2. Her friend will come to see her. (She hoped) 3. Father has repaired his bicycle. (He thought) 4. She knows English very well. (I supposed) 5. Our sportsmen will win the game. (We were sure) 6. She didn’t make mistakes in her dictation. (She was glad) 7. He works at his English hard. (I knew) 8. She dances better than anybody else. (I was told) 9. My cousin has received a very interesting offer from his firm. (I learnt) 10. She will come to stay with us. (My aunt wrote in her letter) 11. He is painting a new picture. (We heard) 12. His new picture will be a masterpiece. (We were sure)

Ex. 4. Open the brackets.

1. He said he (to leave) tomorrow morning. 2. She says she already (to find) the book. 3. He stopped and listened: the clock (to strike) five. 4. I asked my neighbour if he ever (to travel) by air before. 5. The policeman asked George where he (to run) so early. 6. The delegates were told that the guide just (to go) out and (to be) back in ten minutes. 7. I knew they (to wait) for me at the metro station and I decided to hurry. 8. I didn’t know that you already (to wind) up the clock. 9. He says that he (to know) the laws of the country. 10. Sarie understood why Lanny (not to come) the previous evening. 11. He understood that the soldiers (to arrest) him. 12. He couldn’t understand why people (not to want) to take water from that well.

Ex. 5. Choose the right variant.

1. I knew that Mercury … the closest planet to the sun, but I didn't feel like answering the question.

A. was В. is С. had been

2. Mike hoped that his friend … him with his car.

A. would help В. will help С. helped

3. We didn't know the score, but we were sure their team … the game.

A. has lost В. had lost С. lost

4. Yesterday Tom heard that his aunt … for five days.

A. was ill В. has been ill С. had been ill

5. The children were afraid of making any noise as Mom … .

A. was sleeping В. slept С. had been sleeping

6. He gave all his money to me because he … me.

A. would trust В. trusted С. had trusted

7. We were told that Andrew … to enter that college.

A. is going В. went С. was going

8. My parents decided that we … my birthday on Saturday.

A. would celebrate В. will celebrate С. celebrated

9. The pupil wasn't able to do the translation because he … some special terms.

A. hadn't known В. didn't know С. doesn't know

10. Ann hasn't been informed that the lecture … on Friday.

A. hasn't taken place В. wouldn't take place С. won't take place

11. Everybody knew where the doctor … .

A. lives В. lived С. will live

12. I noticed that something … wrong with the wheels of my bicycle.

A. is B. was С. had been

13. The child couldn't find the ball because his brother … it.

A. hid В. has hidden С. had hidden.

14. His parents were worried because they … from him for a long time.

A. didn’t hear B. haven’t heard C. hadn’t heard

15. Steve asked Pete whether he … skating.

A. would go B. will go C. is going

16. I asked Ann if she … sports.

A. plays B. is playing C. played

17. I didn’t know the answer because I … the book.

A. wouldn’t read B. didn’t read C. hadn’t read

18. The teacher asked the student if he …a grammar notebook.

A. had B. has C. has got

19. Ann told her friend that she … the competition.

A. won B. had won C. has won

20. Kate was tired because she … the whole evening.

A. was studying B. has studied C. had been studying

21. Steve asked me if I … him my skates.

A. would lend B. will lend C. lend

Ex. 6. Translate into English.

1. Мы вчера узнали, что она больна. 2. Он ду­мал, что она не придет в школу. 3. Я знал, что моя сестра изучает французский язык, и думал, что она поедет в Париж. 4. Мне сказали, что ты мне звонил. 5. Я думал, что ты в Москве. 6. Я не знал, что ты уже вернулся в Санкт-Петербург. 7. Я боялся, что заблужусь в лесу. 8. Она знала, что мы никогда не видели ее картины. 9. Ученый был уверен, что найдет решение проблемы. 10. Я знал, что ты приехал в Санкт-Петербург, и пола­гал, что ты навестишь меня. 11. Мы не думали, что он так рассердится. 12. Мы надеялись, что поедем в Лондон. 13. Учитель сказал, что наши друзья прислали письмо из Лондона. 14. Она ска­зала, что ее подруга пригласила ее в театр. 15. Мы боялись, что не купим билета в театр. 16. Мы увидели, что дети играют в песке. 17. Она сказала, что больше не будет купаться, потому что вода холодная. 18. Мой дедушка сказал, что в молодости он любил кататься на коньках.