Sequence of Tense
Definition of Sequence of Tense
The Tense of the Subordinate Clause is formed according to the Tense of the Principal Clause. The rule by which it is formed is called Sequence of Tense.
Types of Sequence of Tense
Sequence of Tense has mainly two parts: 1) Principal Clause. 2) Subordinate Clause.
Rule-1: The Verb of Principal Clause is in Present Tense or Future Tense, but the Verb of Subordinate Clause can be of any Tense.
| Principal Clause | Subordinate Clause |
| Asad says | that he is happy (Present Tense) |
| Asad says | that he was happy (Past Tense) |
| Asad will say | that he will be happy (Future Tense) |
| Asad will say | that he was happy (Past Tense) |
Rule-2: If the Verb of the Principal Clause is in the Past Tense, then the Verb of the Subordinate Clause is in the same Past Tense.
(i) Present Indefinite changes to Past Indefinite.
(ii) Present Continuous changes to Past Continuous.
(iii) Present Perfect changes to Past Perfect.
(iv) Present Perfect Continuous changes to Past Perfect Continuous.
(v) Past Indefinite changes to Past Perfect.
(vi) Past Continuous changes to Past Perfect Continuous.
On the other hand,
1.Shall changes to should.
2.will changes to would.
3.May changes to might.
4.Can changes to could.
See some examples,
- Direct: He said, “I write a letter.”
- Indirect: He said that he wrote a letter.
- Direct: He said, “I am writing a letter.”
- Indirect: He said that he was writing a letter.
- Direct: He said, “I have written a letter.”
- Indirect: He said that he had written a letter.
- Direct: He said. “I have been writing a letter.”
- Indirect: He said that he had been writing a letter.
- Direct: He said, “I wrote a letter.”
- Indirect: He said that he had written a letter.”
- Direct: He said, “I was writing a letter.”
- Indirect: He said that he was writing a letter.
- or, He said that he had been writing a letter.
- Direct: He said, “I will write a letter.”
- Indirect: He said that he would write a letter.
- Direct: He said,” I can/may write a letter.”
- Indirect: He said that he could/ might write a letter.
Note: Past Perfect and Past Perfect Continuous Tense do not change.
Exception:
(i) If universal truth or habitual fact is expressed by the Subordinate Clause, then the Verb of the Principal Clause is Past Tense, but the Tense of the Verb of the Subordinate Clause does not change.
| Principal Clause | Subordinate Clause |
| The teacher said | that man is mortal. |
| Father said | that the earth is round. |
| You told me | that he has a bad temper. |
(ii) If the Sub-ordinate Clause is joined to the Principal Clause by than, as well as, as, as to, so well, to express comparison, then the Verb of the Principal Clause can be in any Tense according to the meaning. can
| Principal Clause | Sub-ordinate Clause |
| He likes me | more than you like me. |
| He liked me | more than you liked me. |
| I could not sing | so well as you can. |
(iii) If Subordinate Clause is connected with Principal Clause by conjunction of purpose like that, so that, in order that etc. then-
(a) If the Principal Clause is in the Present or Future Tense, may/can is placed after the Subject of the Sub-ordinate Clause.
- He runs fast so that/ in order that/that he can/may win the race.
- He will run fast so that/ in order that he may/ can win the race.
(b) If the Principal Clause is in the Past Tense then might/could sit after the Subject of the Sub-ordinate Clause.
- He ran fast so that/in order that/that he could/might win the race.
(iv) If the Subordinate Clause begins with lest and if it joins a Principal Clause with any Tense, “lest” and should precede the Verb of the Subordinate Clause.
- The boy hides himself lest I should see him.
(v) Sub-ordinate Clause after “as….. as” can be of any Tense.
- I help him as much as I helped Ahmed.
(vi) If the preceding part of since used as a conjunction is Present Indefinite or Present Perfect Tense, the latter part is Past Indefinite Tense and if the former part is Past Indefinite Tense, the latter part is Past Perfect Tense.
- (i) It is many years since I met you.
- (ii) Many years have passed since his father died.
- (iii) It was many years since I had met him.
(iv) If the first part of As though/as if is Present Indefinite then the next part is Past Indefinite. If the first part is Past Indefinite Tense, the next part is Past Perfect Tense.
- He tells the matter as if he knew it.
- He told the matter as if he had known it.
(vii) If a sentence starts with It is time/It is high time, the next part is Past Indefinite Tense.
- It is time he changed his behavior.
(viii) The Sub-ordinate Clause of the Sentence with wish is Past Indefinite Tense.
- I wish I sang. I wish I could sing.
The sequence of tense refers to the consistency of verb tenses in a sentence, ensuring that the timeline of events is clear and logical.
In narrative writing, the sequence of tense helps maintain a coherent timeline, guiding readers through the events in a logical order and enhancing the overall readability of the story.
One common error is mixing past and present tenses incorrectly in a sentence, disrupting the chronological flow. For instance, saying, “She said that she is coming yesterday.”
Understanding the sequence of tense is crucial in language learning as it ensures effective communication by conveying the correct timing of actions and events.
In reported speech, the sequence of tense involves shifting the verb tenses in indirect quotes to accurately reflect the original speaker’s intended meaning. This is essential for maintaining accuracy when relaying information.