© ALBU

The Sequence of Tenses in a Nutshell

Basic Rule I:
PRESENT + ANY TENSE

Basic Rule II:

PAST + PAST

Basic Rule III:

DO NOT USE shall, should, will, would
in subordinate clauses of time and condition
What exceptions to rules II and III can you find?

‘The Present Sphere’

Main Clause Subordinate Clause
I know that he is in Iaşi.
I have heard that he has been in Iaşi for three days.
She will soon find out that he had been in Iaşi before getting married.
Tell her that he will soon be in Iaşi.
that in two months’ time he will have completed his training.

“The Past Sphere”

PAST PERFECT
Jack had spent two hours on the problem when
he gave up. (The sequence of events is reflected in
the verb tenses. The first event is expressed in the
past perfect.)
SIMPLE PAST
Jack spent two hours on the problem before he
gave up. (The sequence of events is expressed by
the use of the time word before. The past perfect
can be used optionally: Jack had spent two hours
on the problem before he gave up.)

Sentence Type I (ST I)
Sentence Type II (ST II)
Sentence Type III (ST III)
CONDITIONAL SENTENCES
Main Clause Conditional Clause
PRESENT/FUTURE PRESENT (including PRESENT
IMPERATIVE PERFECT for prior actions)
PRESENT CONDITIONAL PAST
PAST CONDIOTIONAL PAST PERFECT

Clauses of Purpose (Final Clauses)

Main Clause Connective Subordinate Clause of Purpose
so that (the commonest) will/can (common) /may(formal)/
PRESENT shall(rare) + INFINITIVE
PRESENT PERFECT in order that (formal) may(formal)/shall(rare) + INFINITIVE
FUTURE that (rare)
IMPERATIVE in case (informal) PRESENT TENSE or
should + INFINITIVE (less usual)
so that would/could/might/should + INFINITIVE
PAST TENSE in case PAST TENSE or
PAST PERFECT should + INFINITIVE
lest (formal) should + INFINITIVE

Discuss further details and examples with your teacher