Tenses

Contents
1. TENSE SEQUENCE
2. THE CONDITIONAL TENSE
3. VERBS THAT CONFUSE (IRREGULAR VERBS)
Tense Errors
________________________________________

Tense indicates the time wherein
a verb is located. A change
in the tense brings about a change
in the verb form. A tense also
indicates the “state” of the verb
in a particular sentence.
ACTIVE VOICE
TENSE PRESENT PAST FUTURE
Simple I watch I watched I shall watch
Continuous/Progressive I am watching I was watching I shall be watching
Perfect I have watched I had watched I shall have watched
Perfect Continuous/Progressive I have been watching I had been watching I shall have been watching
PASSIVE VOICE
TENSE PRESENT PAST FUTURE
Simple I am watched I was watched I shall be watched
Continuous/Progressive I am being watched I was being watched N/A
Perfect I have been watched I had been watched I shall have been watched
Perfect Continuous/Progressive N/A N/A N/A






1. TENSE SEQUENCE
The tense sequence refers to the
structure of a sentence where
the tense of a verb in a
dependent clause goes along
with a verb in the main clause.
1. If the main clause is
stated in the past tense, the
following subordinate clause also
assumes a past tense.
Examples:
• Incorrect: Mary said that
she wishes to leave.
Correct: Mary said that she
wished to leave.
• Incorrect: The doctor
said that my mother is weak.
Correct: The doctor said that
my mother was weak.
Exceptions:
Even if the main clause is
stated in a past tense,
the subordinate clause need
not assume a past tense in
the following cases.
1. If the subordinate
clause states a universal
truth, it assumes a present tense.
Examples:
• Incorrect: My teacher
said that innumerable objects
floated in space.
Correct: My teacher said that
innumerable objects float in space.
• Incorrect: Brad told
me that Lord Shiva was
the name of a Hindu deity.
Correct: Brad told me
that Lord Shiva is
the name of a Hindu deity.
• Incorrect: Tina
understood that the
pen was mightier than the sword.
Correct: Tina understood
that the pen is mightier
than the sword.
2. In case “than” introduces
the subordinate clause, the
subordinate clause assumes
any tense called for by the
sense of the clause/sentence.
Examples:
• She loved you more
than she loves her sister.
• Suzy cooked better
than she usually cooks.
• Ravi was richer then,
than he is at present.
2. When the main clause
is stated in a present tense
or a future tense, the
subordinate clause assumes
any tense called for by
the sense of the clause/sentence.
Examples:
• Mary thinks that Ravi
likes her. (Present)
• Mary thinks that Ravi
liked her. (Past)
• Mary thinks that Ravi
will like her. (Future)
• Smita will think that
Sam lies to her/lied to her/
will lie to her.
Exception:
In a sentence where the
subordinate clause indicates
purpose, if the main clause
is stated in present or
future tense, the subordinate
clause assumes a present tense.
Examples:
I work so that I may earn money.
I will adopt this child so
that he may have his own house.