THE SEQUENCE OF TENSES
The sequence of tenses is a certain dependence of the tense of the verb in a subordinate clause on that of the verb in the principal clause: if the verb in the principal clause is in one of the past tenses, a past tense (or future in the past) must be used in the subordinate clause. The rule is generally observed in object clauses.
I thought you had better sense. (Dreiser)
I always thought it would come to this.
N o t e. It is implied in the rule of the sequence of tenses that if a present or future tense is used in the principal clause, any tense required by the sense can be used in the subordinate clause:
Ive seen which way the wind is blowing. (Dreiser)
If the past action expressed in the subordinate clause is simultaneous with that expressed in the principal clause, the Past Indefinite or the Past Continuous is used in the subordinate clause:
I thought you had more courage than this. (Dreiser)
, .
looked at Cowperwood and saw at once... that the latter was preparing a big fight of some sort. (Dreiser)
, - .
If the past action expressed in the subordinate clause is prior to that expressed in the principal clause, the Past Perfect is used in the subordinate clause:
He knew that she (Hetty) had not had time to read the letter. (Eliot)
, .
If the action expressed in the subordinate clause lasted a certain time before the action expressed in the principal clause, the Past Perfect Continuous or the Past Perfect Inclusive is used in the subordinate clause.
He realized that the old life he had lived in that city since boyhood was ended. (Dreiser)
, , ,
.
If the action expressed in the subordinate clause is posterior to that of the principal clause the Future in the Past is used.
He knew they would read the book the following year. (FUTURE INDEFINITE IN THE PAST)
He knew they would be reading when she came. (FUTURE CONTINUOUS IN THE PAST)
He knew they would have read the book by the 1st of June. (FUTURE PERFECT IN THE PAST)
Occasionally we find examples of should being used with the 3rd person and would with the 1st. This generally occurs when the speaker wants to preserve the same verb that was used by the original speaker.
See! Heres his writing; I made him put it down this morning when he told me
he shouldnt be back before I came here. (Dickens)
He asked me if there wasnt any hope that I would change. (Webster)
If there are several subordinate clauses in a sentence, the rule of the sequence of tenses is observed in all of them.
As the weeks went by... he began to believe that she had been able to think
of her girlish fancy that Arthur was in love with her and would marry her as
a folly of which she was timely cured. (Eliot)
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The rule of the sequence of tenses also holds good when a past tense is used in a subordinate clause to which other clauses are subordinated.
She says he knew they would never return. (Bennett)
He said he was sure you were in.
It should be noted that the rule of the sequence of tenses is observed after verbals if they depend on a finite verb in the past tense:
Cowperwood stood by his desk... wondering where he should get one
hundred thousand dollars. (Dreiser)
In Russian, the tense of the verb in the subordinate clause does not depend on the tense of the verb in the principal clause.
Exercise 1. Finish the sentences paying attention to the tense of the verb in the object clause and in the adverbial clauses of time.
a) 1. I wonder if . 2. He wonders whether . 3. She doesnt know if 4. I dont remember if 5. He didnt remember whether . 6. He wondered why
b) 1. Ill go and see my friend if . 2. He would like to know if . 3. My daughter will go to Kiev for a holiday if . 4. We shant go to the country if . 5. He wont pass his English exam if . 6. I havent heard whether.
Exercise 2. Translate the following sentences into English paying attention to the rules of sequence of tenses.
1. , . 2. , . 3. , . 4. , . 5. , , . 6. , ? 7. , . 8. , . 9. , , . 10. , . 11. , -. 12. , . 13. , . 14. , , .
Exercise 3. Translate into English using Complex Object:
1. He wanted his letters sent once. 2. I dont want my papers looked through. 3. She did not want her child taken to hospital. 4. She gave him some papers and said that the client wanted them signed. 5. The teacher wants our homework to be prepared well. 6. Would you like your luggage carried upstairs? 7. I want a bedroom prepared for my guest. 8. If you want things done well, do them yourself. 9. I should very much like it to be made clear to me. 10. The traveler entered the inn and ordered supper to be prepared.
Exercise 4. Translate into English using Complex Object:
1. They had some dinner brought. 2. She had the children looked after in the evening when she went out. 3. Ellen had her needle threaded for her as her eyesight was getting worse and worse. 4. I must have these shoes mended. 5. I shall have my son taught music. 6. The planters had the trees in the jungle cut down. 7. I shall have your taxi kept at the door. 8. I shall have your things brought up and unpacked at once. 9. I must have my hair cut tomorrow. 10. I have just had my photograph taken and thought you might like to get one. 11. I meant to have this dress altered but I never did. 12. She has had no photographs of herself taken since her childhood. 13. Have this carpet spread on the floor.
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