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c3a4cz1.htf
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1997-01-20
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C3A4cz1
Sequence of Tenses
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When a sentence consists of more than one clause, the
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tense of the main verb affects the tenses of all other verbs in
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the sentence. The tense of the main verb creates the time
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frame to which all the other verbs must relate. The tense of
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other verbs in the sentence should only shift from the tense
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of the main verb to convey meaning, e.g., to show the order
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of events.
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If the main verb is in present tense, other verbs in the
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sentence may use any tense. Past or future tense in the
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main verb, however, imposes time constraints on other verbs in
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the sentence. For example, if the main verb is in past tense,
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other verbs in the sentence cannot be in present tense. If
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the main verb is in future tense, other verbs cannot be in the
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simple past tense.
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(See the
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Sequence of Tenses Table
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48
177
Tenses.dib
)
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13
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Note:
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There is one exception to the rule that a past tense
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main verb should not be followed by a present tense verb in
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a clause. When the clause makes a statement of universal
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truth, the verb is in the present tense even if the main verb is in
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the past tense. Consider the examples below.
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The teacher
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taught
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(past) us that a triangle
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has
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(present)
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three sides.
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We
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knew
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(past) that he always
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goes
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(present) home
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to eat.
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