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What is the Sequence of Tenses?

The sequence of tenses, when translated literally, refers to the specific order in which multiple tenses
should appear in a sentence. In simple terms, it means that in a sentence with two clauses , the tense
of the subordinate clause is determined by the tense of the main clause .

Rule 1: Any Tense Can Follow The Present Or Future Tense

If the principal clause contains a verb in the present or the future tense , the verb in the subordinate
clause can be in any tense. The choice of tense in the subordinate clause is dictated by the nature of
the information being conveyed.

For example:

o He claims he met the celebrity.

o My dad will be thrilled if you visit us.
o She believes that the food here is delicious.
o Suresh will suspect that we are keeping something from him.
o They are assuming that it wasn't their mistake.

Rule 2: The Past Tense Follows The Past Tense

If the main or principal clause contains a verb in the past tense, the verb in the subordinate clause
should also be in the past tense. This rule can be further elaborated based on the form of past tense
that appears in the principal clause.
Tense of the Tense of the Example
Principal Clause Subordinate Clause
Simple Past Simple Past o I assumed you had left for work.

Past Continuous Simple Past o They were explaining that

they appreciated our efforts.

Past Perfect Simple Past o My friends had gone to the park before
I arrived.

Simple Past Past Perfect o The coach asked if the players had
practiced the drills.
o When I reached the airport, the flight had
already taken off.

Simple Past Past Perfect o My sister was upset because she had been
Continuous waiting for us for two hours.

Exceptions to Rule 2

There are two exceptions to Rule 1. Let's explore them.

Exception 1 – Present Follows Past

In certain cases, such as when the subordinate clause represents a universal truth, a routine action or
a general fact, the tense should be present even if the principal clause employs a past tense verb.

For example:

o The guide explained that the sun rises in the east.

o Ravi told me that he takes the bus to work every day.

Exception 2 – Any Tense in the Subordinate Clause

When making comparisons using ‘than’, there is no specific rule regarding which tense should be
used. Consider the following examples.

o I would rather go for a walk than stay indoors all day doing nothing.
o I will miss you more than I ever missed anyone else.

Rule 3: The Present Tense Follows The Future Tense

When using subordinating conjunctions such as ‘when’, ‘as soon as’, ‘after’, ‘immediately after’,
‘once’, etc., to form complex sentences and ‘if/unless’ to form conditional sentences, the subordinate
clause will not use the future tense if the verb in the principal clause is in the future tense. Instead,
the present tense is used. Here are some examples to clarify this rule.

o I will tutor you after I complete my homework.

o Radha will assist her mother with the cooking as soon as she finishes her studies.
o Unless you study diligently now , you will not pass the exam.
o I will inform my dad that you called when he returns home.
o The team will arrive immediately after they get your message.

Rule 4: The Use of subjunctive in Subordinate Clauses

When phrases like ‘as if’, ‘it is time / it is high time’, ‘what if’, ‘wish that’, etc. are used, the past tense
form of the verb should be used.

For example:

o I wish I had met you earlier.

o She behaved as if she knew everything.
o It is high time you saw a doctor.
o What if you had received another opportunity?
o It is time he understood the harm his smoking habit was causing him.

Rule 5: The Use of Modal Verbs When The Conjunction ‘That’ Is Used

If a subordinate clause begins with the conjunction ‘that’ or ‘so that’, you should use the modal
verb ‘may’ if the verb in the principal clause is in the present tense and ‘might’ if it is in the past
tense.

For example:

o We study hard so that we may succeed.

o They worked hard so that they might not fail.