The Sequence of Tenses

It is the principle, according to which the Tense of the Verb in the Subordinate Clause follows the Tense of the Verb in the Principle Clause; as,

1. He said that God is one.
2. She said that she was ill.

Let us explain how this principle works.

• A Present or a Future Tense in the Principle Clause may be followed by any Tense in the Subordinate Clause; as,
  1. I know that he is ill.
  2. I know that he was ill.
  3. I know that he will go home.
  4. I shall say that he is ill.
  5. I shall say that he was ill.
  6. I shall say that you would not go home.
• A Past Tense in the Principle Clause in followed by a Past Tense in the Subordinate Clause; as,
  1. He said that he was ill.
  2. She said that she was going home.
  3. You said that you would not attend the meeting.
• If the Subordinate Clause expresses a universal truth, a Past Tense in the Principle Clause may be followed by a present Tense in the Principle Clause; as,
  1. The teacher said that the earth is round.
  2. My mother said that honesty is the best policy.
• If the Principle Clause is introduced by "than" its Verb may be in any Tense, even if the Verb of the Principle Clause is in the Past Tense; as,
  1. He respected me more than he respects you.
  2. She loved you more than she loved me.
  3. I helped her more than I shall help my sister.

1. Present Simple (Indefinite) Tense
2. Present Continuous Tense
3. Present Perfect Tense
4. Present Perfect Continuous Tense

5. Past Simple (Indefinite) Tense
6. Past Continuous Tense
7. Past Perfect Tense
8. Past Perfect Continuous Tense

9. Future Indefinite (Simple) Tense
10. Future Continuous Tense
11. Future Perfect Tense
12. Future Perfect Continuous Tense

1. How Many Tenses in English
2. The Sequence of Tenses